LETTERS 

—  OF  — 

emii  mm  mum, 

OF  THE 

Ninety-Third  Ohio  Infantry, 


PRESS  OF  WRIGHTSON  &  COMPANY, 
13  West  Fourth  Street,  Cincinnati,  O. 
1883. 


c 


(? 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2015 


https  ://arch  i  ve  .org/detai  Is/lettersof  captai  n  1 883 rich 


I 


RY  RICHARDS. 


LETTERS 


APTAi  HIRY  eiBHARDS, 


OF  TSE 


NinetyThird  Ohio  Infantry. 


PRESS  OF  WRIGHTSOX  6:  COMPANY, 

13  Wegl  Fourth  Street,  Qncinnati.  0, 


INTRODUCTORY. 


The  following  letters  of  Captain  Henry  Richards,  of  the  Ninety- 
third  Ohio  Volunteers,  are  compiled  and  published  for  the  sake  of 
preserving,  amongst  his  many  friends,  a  memento  of  one  who  was 
dearly  loved  by  all  who  knew  him,  as  also  from  a  feeling  of  respect 
and  esteem  for  his  manly  virtues,  self-devotion  and  true  patriotism  ; 
and,  further,  as  the  means  of  rendering  a  slight  tribute  through 
him  (who  was  only  "one  of  the  many")  to  the  virtues  and  heroism 
of  the  common  soldiers  of  the  late  war,  who,  leaving  homes  and 
friends,  and  in  many  cases  a  prosperous  business  and  brilliant  future, 
entered  voluntarily  and  from  a  simple  sense  of  duty  and  love  of 
country  into  a  service  which  they  well  knew  was  full  of  the  severest 
hardships  and  danger,  and  willingly,  and  even  cheerfully,  submitted 
to  the  severe  discipline  of  the  camp,  subordinate  frequently  to  men 
of  inferior  capacity  to  themselves,  but  whom  they  obeyed,  knowing 
that  upon  that  obedience  and  discipline  the  life  of  the  army  de- 
pended. These  letters  present  a  vivid  picture  of  the  life  of  the 
common  soldier,  for  though  Captain  Richards  did  not  serve  as  a 
common  soldier,  he  shared  all  their  hardships  and  duties.  One  of 
the  most  unselfish  of  men,  he  refused  the  promotion  as  captain  of 
another  company  when  offered  him,  feeling  that  he  should  stay  with 
his  company  who  were,  at  home,  his  neighbors  and  friends,  and  could 
not  bear  the  idea  of  leaving  them  to  be  cared  for  by  any  other  offi- 
cer, and  it  was  only  when  he  found  that  he  would  serve  most  of  his 
time  on  detached  duty  that  he  consented  to  be  made  captain  of  his 
own  company. 

3 


_4  — 


Captain  Richards  was  born  September  5th,  1823,  and  was  the  eldest 
son  of  Giles  Richards,  Esq.,  who,  for  many  years,  was  a  prominent 
citizen  of  Butler  county.  He,  connected  with  T.  S.  Goodman,  of 
Cincinnati,  built  and  operated  in  1822  one  of  the  first  cotton  mills 
of  Ohio,  known  as  the  **Colerain  Cotton  Mills,"  at  Colerain,  Ham- 
ilton county,  Ohio.  Accumulating  a  competency,  he  subsequently 
purchased  a  farm  in  the  immediate  neighborhood  in  Butler  county, 
where  he  resided  until  his  death  in  1876,  devoting  his  time  and  at- 
tention to  agricultural  pursuits.  Henry,  his  son,  was  brought  up  on 
this  farni,  obtaining  his  education  at  Gary's  Academy,  College  Hill, 
and  was  engaged  in  farming  at  the  breaking  out  of  the  Rebellion. 

In  connection  with  Robert  Joyce,  now  Major  Joyce,  of  the  Inter- 
nal Revenue  Department,  and  Isaac  R.  Anderson,  of  Ross  town- 
ship, Butler  county,  he  organized  a  company  in  his  immediate 
neighborhood,  which  was  mustered  into  service  at  Dayton,  July 
30th,  1862,  and  formed  part  of  the  Ninety-third  Ohio,  commanded 
by  Colonel  Charles  Anderson,  Robert  Joyce  becoming  captain,  and 
Henry  Richards  first  lieutenant. 

These  letters,  mostly  written  to  his  father,  were  carefully  pre- 
served by  him  and  filed  away  amongst  other  letters  as  was  his  habit, 
and  it  has,  only  been  within  the  present  year  that  the  compiler  was 
aware  of  their  existence.  They  were  found  whep  casually  looking 
over  a  mass  of  old  letters. 

A.  ^Y.  G. 

Elland,  a,  May,  1883. 


LETTERS. 


Lexington,  Kv.,  August  25th,  1862. 

Dear  Father : 

I  only  have  time  to  say  a  few  words.  Wq  left  Dayton 
Saturday  about  5  p.  m.  The  privates  were  all  paid  off,  bounty  and 
all,  just  as  the  Governor  had  promised.  The  labor  of  making  out  the 
three  different  piy-rolls  and  one  muster-roll  was  immense,  consider- 
ing the  time  for  doing  it,  and  the  work  principally  fell  on  me.  We 
were  the  only  company  that  were  paid  all  at  once.  We  arrived  at 
Cincinnati  about  midnight,  and  were  marched  to  Covington,  arriving 
there  about  2  a.  m.  We  laid  down  on  the  board  piles,  cars,  mother 
earth,  and  wherever  we  pleased,  without  supper,  and  had  to  get  our 
breakfast  as  we  could.  Left  Covington  about  i  p.  m.  and  arrived 
at  Lexington  about  two  to  day,  having  eaten  nothing  all  day;  arrived 
at  our  present  camp  about  8  p.  m.  were  ordered  to  lay  down  on  the 
sides  of  the  turnpike,  with  a  stone  for  a  pillow,  although  there  was 
a  beautiful  grove  on  either  side  of  the  pike.  We  had  not  laid  down 
more  than  an  hour  when  there  was  an  alarm,  one  of  the  pickets 
having  been  shot  at  not  more  than  fifty  yards  from  our  company. 
I  imagine  it  was  done  to  impress  upon  our  men  the  necessity  of 
being  prepared,  and,  if  so,  it  had  the  desired  effect.  I  lay  asleep 
about  six  feet  from  Col.  Anderson,  and  was  on  my  feet  about  the 
third  report  of  the  sentinels.  It  w^as  very  amusing  to  see  the  effects 
of  this  first  alarm  on  our  men.  Some  did  not  know  which  end  was 
up — others  cool  and  ready  for  any  emergency,  which  I  did  not  fail 
to  observe,  being — although  I  say  it  myself — perfectly  cool. 

Considering  the  alarm  of  the  citizens  here,  on  account  of  the  de- 
feat of  Mitchell,  only  about  twenty  miles  from  here,  yesterday  mor- 
ning I  think  our  men  behaved  very  well. 

5 


Should  our  men  meet  with  any  disaster  here,  our  State  authori- 
ties I  think  will  be  very  much  to  blame  for  sending  such  a  new-born 
regiment  into  the  field  only  partly  equipped  ;  but  we  are  soldiers 
now,  in  earnest,  and  for  my  part  I  don't  expect  anything  but  a  hard 
life;  the  contrary  would  be  a  disappointment  to  me;  but  the  men  had 
no  reason  to  expect  such  a  breaking  in  as  they  have  had  at  the  very 
commencement.    Your  son  Henry, 

Co.  F.^        Ohio  Infantry. 

Baggage  not  here  and  no  ink  in  camp. 


Camp  Cheerful,  September  4th,  1862. 

Dear  Father: 

I  have  a  few  moments,  while  the  wagon-train  is  getting  in 
position,  to  write  a  few  lines.  I  call  this  Camp  Cheerful  because  the 
men  are  so  cheerful  this  morning,  last  night  being  the  first  night's 
rest  and  the  first  meal  of  cooked  victuals  we  have  eat  since  last  Sat- 
urday noon.  We  were  ordered  last  Saturday  to  prepare  two  days' 
rations,  expecting  to  go  to  Camp  Dick  Robinson.  About  the 
time  for  starting  the  orders  were  changed  and  we  took  up  our 
line  of  march  for  Richmond.  We  left  camp  after  dark,  and 
marched  sixteen  miles  by  daylight  Sunday  morning.  During  our 
march  the  latter  part  of  the  night  we  met  many  stragglers  from  the 
battle-field  of  Richmond.  A  little  after  daylight  we  halted  on  the 
hills  of  the  Kentucky  river,  and  sent  out  one  company  as  pickets. 
We  had  not  been  encamped  more  than  half  an  hour  until  we  saw 
the  enemy  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river  on  the  hills  in  large 
force.  We  were  immediately  ordered  back  to  Lexington,  having 
rested  only  about  two  hours,  and  arrived  there  about  10  o'clock  at 
night.  It  having  rained  very  hard  during  our  march  we  were  not 
in  a  very  good  humor  when  we  were  ordered  to  countermarch  two 
and  one-half  miles  to  the  farm  of  James  B.  Clay,  where  we  arrived 
about  midnight,  as  wet  as  drowned  rats,  and  with  nothing  but 
mother  earth  to  sleep  upon.  On  Monday  morning  the  baggage 
wagons  were  ordered  to  unload  everything  but  the  provisions  and 
cooking  utensils.  Officers  and  men  to  take  a  change  of  clothing 
and  prepare  for  a  march.  Officers'  baggage  to  be  sent  to  Lexington 
and  stored.    In  less  than  an  hour  we  were  ordered  to  form  in  hne 


of  battle,  and  while  we  were  forming  some  one  told  me  our  baggage 
was  ordered  to  be  burned.  I  left  the  ranks  and  went  to  see,  but  it 
was  too  late — everything  was  piled  up  and  on  fire.  Commissary 
stores,  colonels',  captains'  and  doctors'  baggage — everything  belong- 
ing to  the  regiment  except  what  was  on  our  backs  was  burned.  This 
is  a  fair  specimen  of  the  way  things  are  managed  here.  The  teams 
went  away  not  heavily  loaded — could  just  as  well  have  taken  every- 
thing as  not.  After  forming  in  line  of  battle  we  marched  at  quick 
time  to  a  corn  field  on  the  farm  of  Henry  Clay,  and  waited  for  the 
enemy  about  two  hours,  when  orders  came  to  retreat  towards  Frank- 
fort. We  marched  all  night;  rested  one  hour  about  daylight,  and 
resumed  our  march,  arriving  at  Frankfort  after  dark,  where  we  were 
turned  into  a  filthy  lot — 'without  anything  to  eat  but  hard  bread — to 
rest  our  weary  limbs. 

A  little  after  midnight  we  were  aroused  and  on  our  way  to  Louis- 
ville, distant  fifty-two  miles,  where  we  are  at  present. 

September  5th,  12  m.,  my  birthday,  by  the  way.  This  march  has 
been  conducted  in  the  most  unchristian  and  inhuman  manner.  In- 
cluding cavalry  and  infantry  we  had  some  10,000  men,  capable  of 
making  a  good  fight  if  they  had  been  allowed  the  privilege.  There 
is  a  great  lack  of  courage  or  capacity  in  this  department.  In  fact, 
it  is  most  miserably  conducted  from  beginning  to  end.  Colonel 
Anderson  has  been  acting  brigadier-general,  and  is  sick  at  present. 
If  he  leaves  the  regiment  it  will  be  its  death  blow,  as  he  is  the  only 
field  officer  having  the  confidence  of  the  men.  No  more  at  present 
from  your  loving  son,  Henry, 


Crab  Orchard,  October  i6th,  1862. 

Dear  Father: 

I  have  just  learned  that  a  messenger  is  going  to  Lexington 
in  about  twenty  minutes  and  hasten  to  drop  you  a  line.  I  wrote  to 
sister  Ellen  from  Shelby  ville.  Since  then  we  have  been  on  the  march, 
with  more  or  less  skirmishing  in  front  and  rear,  pursuing  the  rebels. 
Their  army  is  now  one  day's  march  from  us,  in  full  retreat,  with,  I 
think,  a  fair  prospect  of  capturing  them.  Had  the  fight  at  Perryvilie 
been  delayed  as  Buell,  I  learned,  intended,  they  would  have  been 
bagged  there,  as  several  divisions,  including  ours,  were  but  one  day's 


fnarcfi  beMn(f.  We  liave  an  immense  army  liere^  now,  sufficient  tc? 
gobble  up  all  the  rebels  if  eaugbt.  We  camped  on  the  battlefield  or^ 
Saturday  night.  The  battle  was  fought?  on  Wednesday.  The  rebel 
dead  were  stiH  unburied,  hundFeds  of  them  I  saw  black  and  stiffs 
most  all  shot  in  the  head  of  breast.  Our  forces  were  only  about  17,- 
000  while  theirs  are  estimated  much  larger.  They  left  in  the  night 
with  about  threie  thousand  wounded,  which  were  left  at  Harrodsburg, 
afud  our  forces  took  them  prisoners.  Now  our  faces  are  toward 
Cumberland  Gap,  and  if  the  en^my  continue  in  that  direction  wil!^ 
follow  them' on.  I  will  write  more  at  length  the  first  good  oppor- 
tunity jr  a&  the  m^essemger  is  ready  to  go.    Your  aifectioBate  son, 

HenrYo 

P.  S. — ■General  Sill  is  our  division  commander,  and  General* 
Buckley  our  brigade  commander.  Any  letter  sent  should  be  directed 
to  Louisville,  Ky.,  McCook's  Army  Corp&,  2d  Division,  4th  Brigade^. 
(j^d  Ohio  Infantry^ 


'  ^  ~  Lekanon,  Kr.,  October  22id,  1862, 

Bear  Father  r 

I  wrote  you  from  Crab  Orchard,  and  was- detailed  the  same' 
day  to  come  here  with  a  train  of  wagons  (our  quartermaster  being, 
sick)  after  tents  and  knapsacks'  that  were  left  behind  expecting 
to  find  them  here  night  before  last,  but  the  railroad  is- not  yet  in? 
operation — the  first  train  will  arrive  to-day.  I  was  instructed  to  re- 
main  here  until  they  come.  I  learn  from  parties  who  left  Crab 
Orchard  one  day  later  than  I,  that  Rosseau's  Division  and  McCook's 
Army  Corps  are' marching  this  way,  but  where  going  is  not  known,, 
—-we  think  Nashville.  There  is  great  complaint  among  officers  and^ 
riien  of  General  Buell.  Traitor  is  not  an  uncommon  epithet  used  in 
Connection  with  his  name.  It  does  seem  as  if  the  whole  rebel  army- 
could  have  been  captured  or  annihilated  at  Perryville,  if  he  had 
wished  it.  The  army  suffers  greatly  for  water,  having  had  no  rain 
in  this  country  for  about  three  months.  I  have  been  obliged 
to  take  my  train  six  miles  from  town  for  water. 

The  army  is  dependent  on  the  railroad  for  supplies,  and  no  trains- 
having  FUrtfor  several  days-  we  are  consequently  short  of  rations. 
There  are  probably  five  hundred  wagon&  here  waiting  for  supplier. 


I  hope  Ohio  may  be  spared  the  infliction  of  a  hostile  army 
passing  through  her  territory.  You  can  have  no  idea  of  the 
appearance  of  the  country  after  an  army  of  fifty  thousand  men 
have  passed  through.  Fences  and  crops  destroyed  in  many  places, 
cavalry  hcrses  quartered  in  the  front  yards  and  fastened  to  the  small 
trees  and  shrubbery. 

I  am  very  glad  to  hear  of  Vallandigham's  djfeat.  Our  regiment 
was  polled  on  election  day.  Schenck  received  over  four  hundred 
votes,  and  Val  less  than  one  hundred.    Your  affe:tionate  son, 

HE^RY. 


Nashville,  Tenn.,  November  9th,  1862. 

Dear  Father : 

When  I  wrote  you  last  I  believe  I  was  at  Lebanon,  Ky. , 
waiting  for  knapsacks  belongmg  to  our  regiment.  They  came  to 
hand  in  much  better  order  than  I  could  have  expected,  and  I  caught 
up  with  the  regiment  one  day's  march  short  of  Bowling  Green. 

We  halted  there  two  days,  close  to  a  stream  known  as  Lost  River. 
It  comes  from  the  ground  sufficiently  strong  to  drive  two  run  of  large 
mill  stones,  and  flows  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  and  disappears  in  a 
cave,  which  some  of  our  boys  penetrated  a  distance  of  a  mile  or 
more.  I  was  ordered  to  make  out  pay  rolls,  which  prevented  me  from 
making  any  explorations. 

We  left  for  Nashville  on  the  3d  of  November,  and  arrived  here 
the  7th.  The  march  was  hard  and  dusty  as  usual,  but  water  was  in 
plenty  for  quenching  our  thirst.  We  are  now  encamped  on  the 
bank  of  the  Cumberland  River,  about  one  and  one-half  miles  from 
town. 

I  have  not  been  in  the  city  yet,  and  don't  know  when  I  shall,  as 
I  am  entirely  too  democratic  to  go  through  the  necessary  forms  to 
get  there,  and  yet  will  not  violate  the  orders.  None  of  the  officers 
of  this  company  have  ever  asked  for  or  had  a  pass  to  go  through 
the  lines  since  we  have  been  in  the  service,  and  I  believe  they,  like 
myself,  have  no  inclination  to  gad  about  over  the  country  at  every 
stopping  place.  We  are  all  disgusted  with  the  country  and  people, 
and  don't  wish  to  see  any  more  of  it  or  them,  than  we  are  obliged  to 
in  the  course  of  our  duty. 


—  10  — 


After  resting  one  day,  our  brigade  was  ordered  this  morLing  !o 
take  the  back  track  two  da)  s'  march  to  Frankhn,  near  the  State 
b'ne,  to  guard  our  division  supply  train,  the  Louisville  &  Nashville 
Railroad  being  in  operation  to  that  point,  and  Nashville  is  a'most 
destitute  of  the  common  necessaries  of  life.  Coffee,  sugar  and  soap 
would  bring  almost  any  price  asked,  the  citizens  having  been  with- 
out either  for  two  or  three  months.  Potatoes  bring  one  dollar  per 
peck,  and  other  vegetables  in  proportion. 

Yesterday  a  court  martial  was  ordered  by  General  Sill  for  the 
division,  and  as  I  was  detailed  as  one  of  that  honorable"  body,  I 
am  left  behind  the  regiment,  which  don't  spite  me  a  bit,  as  I  don't 
like  to  go  over  the  same  ground  in  this  country  twice.  I  will  not 
be  called  on  for  any  other  duty  during  its  session,  the  length  of 
which  is  uncertain ;  it  m  ly  continue  only  two  or  three  days  and  it 
may  last  as  many  weeks  or  months,  as  there  are  said  to  be  a  good 
many  cases. 

It  seems  to  me  our  regiment  ought  to  take  the  place  of  the  Sixty- 
ninth,  and  it  ought  to  go  into  more  active  service,  as  it  has  had 
ample  time  to  drill,  but  it  seems  that  the  powers  that  be  take  very 
little  thought  of  the  rank  and  file.  The  most  of  the  boys  belong- 
ing to  the  Sixty-ninth  from  our  neighborhood  have  been  over  here 
to  see  us.  Wilson  is  not  very  well,  having  rheumatism.  Parker  is 
very  well.  Huey  and  Ogg  are  both  fit  for  duty.  Their  regiment 
has  not  been  paid  off  for  six  months,  and  the  boys  seem  very 
anxious  to  get  their  pay  and  send  it  home.  No  more  at  present 
from  your  affectionate  son,  Henry. 


Battlefield  Stone  River,  January  4th,  1863. 

Dear  Father : 

I  take  the  first  opportunity  to  let  you  know  that  I  have 
passed  through  the  dangers  of  the  last  six  days  without  receiving  a 
single  scratch,  except  through  my  clothes. 

We  left  Nashville  on  the  26th  of  December,  in  rear  of  the  three 
divisions  that  were  to  advance  on  Murfreesboro,  constituting  the 
right  wing.  The  advance  had  a  good  deal  of  skirmishing  on  that 
day.  The  next  day  we  had  the  advance  and  the  skirmishing  was 
quite  heavy,  but  we  were  not  deployed  as  skirmishers,  and  conse- 


— 11  — 


quently  did  not  get  a  sight  of  the  rebels  until  fiear  night,  when  a 
few  volleys  set  them  running.  It  was  a  terrible  day,  raining  almost 
incessantly,  and  we  were  without  tents.  The  next  day  being  Sun- 
day, and  the  enemy  having  skedaddled,  we  rested. 

Monday  morning  found  us  on  the  march  for  this  place,  arriving 
in  time  to  give  the  rebels  one  volley  by  way  of  introduction.  We 
encamped  in  a  very  thick  wood,  and  slept  on  the  ground  as  usual, 
and  were  in  line  of  battle  at  daylight.  We  had  hardly  formed  when 
the  ball  opened  immediately  in  our  front.  The  regiments  stationed 
there  were  surprised,  it  seems,  and  gave  way  in  disorder,  retreating 
through  our  lines  in  great  confusion.  They  were  old  regiments,  too, 
and  we  expected  better  things  of  them.  Our  regiment  took  the 
panic  and  followed  suit.  To  have  tried  to  make  a  stand  just  then 
would  have  been  folly,  after  three  or  four  regiments  and  Willich's 
brigade  and  the  Iowa  batteries  had  been  forced  to  retreat. 

On  came  the  rebels  shouting  like  devils,  drunk  with  the  excite- 
ment of  victory,  but  their  tune  soon  changed.  Rosseau's  Division 
came  promptly  to  our  assistance,  and  we  soon  checked  their  ad- 
vance but  it  cost  many  lives.  The  fighting  now  became  very  severe 
all  along  the  lines.  The  rebs  made  another  and  another  desperate 
attempt  to  drive  us,  but  of  no  avail.  Our  men  were  as  obstinate  as 
they. 

At  night  we  had  resisted  every  attempt  to  drive  us  back,  and  the 
position  of  affairs  was  rather  in  our  favor,  but  the  slaughter  was 
terrible.  Had  not  General  Johnson  allowed  himself  to  be  surprised 
the  result  would  have  been  very  different. 

Our  regiment,  after  Rosseau  came  up,  was  not  in  the  engagement, 
although  they  were  subject  to  a  very  heavy  fire  during  their  retreat. 
Colonel  Anderson  was  slightly  wounded,  and  Major  Martin  seri- 
ously. Two  of  our  company  were  wounded  in  the  fight;  ten  are 
missing,  amongst  them  are  Alexander  Johnson  and  A.  Pickens. 

When  our  regiment  was  rallied  Captain  Joyce,  Captain  Birch  and 
myself  became  detached  from  the  regiment  and  formed  ourselves 
with  about  thirty  men,  ten  or  twelve  of  our  own  company  and  the 
balance  parts  of  different  companies.  The  Twenty-fourth  Ohio  was 
reforming — it  also  having  been  badly  scattered,  when  the  major  of 
the  Twenty-fourth  rode  up  and  asked,  "  What  regiment  do  you 
belong  to?"  We  answered,  "  the  Ninety-third  Ohio."  Said  he, 
"  do  you  want  to  fight?  If  so,  forin  with  us  and  show  what  you  can 


—  12  — 


do."  We  did  so,  and  advanced  in  an  open  field  to  within  range 
of  the  enemy,  who  opened  a  desperate  fire  upon  us,  which  we  re- 
turned with  interest.  We  held  our  ground,  although  the  enemy 
seemed  to  be  far  superior  in  numbers,  for  two  hDurs,  and  under  an 
iacess:int  fire  of  shell  and  musketry  that  seemed  to  make  the  very 
earth  shake.  You  can  judge  something  of  its  fury  when  I  tell  you 
that  our  men  fired  seventy-three  rounds  during  the  engagement 
here.  I  never  expected  to  get  through  alive,  but  am  safe  and  sound, 
as  is  also  Captains  Joyce  and  Birch. 

William  Ogg  was  shot  dead  while  carrying  Richard  D.  Shaw  off 
the  field  badly  wounded.  W.  P.  Lane  also  killed,  also  G.  B.  Kum.- 
ler,  all  of  our  company. 

The  hardest  fighting  during  the  day  was  at  this  point.  How  any 
of  us  escaped  appears  a  miracle.  The  colonel  and  maior  of  the 
Twenty-fourth  Ohio  were  both  killed.  They  were  brave,  honest 
men,  and  were  everywhere  during  the  fight,  encouraging  and  urging 
the  men.  and  their  very  presence  was  assurance  of  victory.  I  never 
learned  their  names.  Since  the  fight  of  that  day  no  one  could  visit 
the  field,  as  it  lay  between  the  two  armies,  and  a  bone  of  con- 
tention until  last  night.  A  charge  wis  made  after  dark,  when  the 
rebs  were  completely  routed,  and  the  news  to  day  is  that  they  have 
evacuated  the  place.  There  has  been  heavy  fighting  every  day, 
always  in  our  favor. 

Mrs.  McNeil's  boys  are  both  well. 

January  5th.  We  found  another  dead  man  of  our  company  to  day 
■ — Swain  Carbon, 

The  rebels  have  gone,  and  our  army  follows  in  pursuit.  They 
have  been  badly  whipped.  What  our  next  step  will  be  I  don't 
know.  Rations  are  scarce  here.  We  had  two  ears  of  corn  to  each 
mm  issued  on  Friday  last,  that  being  all  that  could  be  got.  We 
have  neither  blankets  nor  tents.  It  has  rained  two  nights  since  we 
have  been  here,  and  no  fires  are  allowed.  So  you  see  soldiering  is 
play.  I  am  very  well,  however;  not  even  a  cold.  We  lost  all 
o  ir  blankets  the  first  day's  fight.  No  more  paper,  so  must  stop.  As 
ever,  your  affectionate  son,  Henry. 


—  13  — 


Camp  Drake,  April  13th,  1S63. 

Dear  Father  : 

I  enclose  forty  dollars,  and  would  send  more  but  fear  its  safety, 
as  the  rebels  are  continually  making  raids  upon  the  roads  ^  ^  ^ 
Yesterday  we  were  ordered  to  strike  our  Sibley  tents  and  take  shelter 
tents,  which  looks  like  preparing  to  move.  I  pay  no  attention  to 
rumors  but  judge  from  appearances  for  myself.  Henry. 


Camp  Drake,  April  i6th,  1S63. 

Dear  Father : 

A  few  days  since  I  sent  you  forty  dollars,  and  as  we  are 
ordered  to  go  to  Salem  to-m  Trow  with  four  days"  rations,  I  enclose 
fjrty  dollars  more.  Silem  is  only  about  four  miles  from  here,  and 
one  brigade  goes  out  at  a  time  to  do  picket  duty.  Your  affectionate 
son,  Henry. 


Camp  Drake,  Tenn.,  June  8th,  1863. 

Dear  Father ; 

"^Ve  were  paid  off  }-esterday,  and  as  our  sutler  is  gomg  to 
Nashville  to-day  I  will  get  him  to  procure  a  draft  on  Cincinnati  for 
the  amount  I  send  home.  The  only  risk  will  be  between  here 
and  Nashville. 

I  send  $100  belonging  to  me. 

I  send      15  belonging  to  Amos  McNt-i'l. 

I  send      15  belonging  to  John  McNeill. 

I  send      30  belonging  to  Thos.  Dungan. 

I  send      60  belonging  to  Joseph  Waltz. 

Total,  $220 

McNeills'  you  can  pay  to  their  father;  Thos.  Dungan's  to  his 
wife;  Joseph  Waltz's  to  his  wife;  he  is  an  acquaintance  of  C.  Sick's. 

We  are  receiving  large  reinforcements  of  paroled  prisoners.  I 
received  a  letter  from  Charley^  yesterday.  He  is  with  the  Thirry- 
ninth  Ohio  at  Memphis.  Appearances  here  look  towards  an  early 
movement.    Your  aff.crionate  son,  Henry. 


A  cousin. 


—  14  — 


Camp  Drake,  June  14th,  1863. 

Dear  Father  : 

Enclosed  find  photos  of  the  Corps  Commanders  of  the  Army 
of  the  Cumberland  now  here,  also  General  Rosecrans.  I  wish  I 
could  have  had  a  front  view  of  him.  We  like  him  very  much.  I 
expected  to  send  one  of  my  own,  but  it  got  spoiled  in  printing. 
General  McCook  don't  look  to  be  equal  to  the  position  he  holds ; 
he  seems  to  have  drawn  a  lucky  card. 

I  would  like  your  opinion  of  the  photos  and  men.  Hoping  to 
hear  from  you  soon,  I  remain  your  affectionate  son,  Henry. 


Camp  Drake,  June  23d,  1863. 

Dear  Father: 

We  have  marching  orders  for  to-morrow  with  twelve  days' 
rations,  but  have  not  the  most  remote  idea  where  bound.  Company 
H,  of  our  regiment,  being  without  an  officer,  I  have  been  put  in 
command  of  it,  and  if  I  consent  to  a  promotion  will  be  made  cap- 
tain of  that  company.  I  would  much  rather  remain  first  lieutenant 
of  my  own  c  mpany  than  be  captain  of  any  other,  but  I  see  that  I 
will,  in  all  probability,  be  on  duty  away  from  my  own  company 
most  of  the  time,  and  have  partly  concluded  to  accept  promotion. 
I  received  youri  of  the  14th,  for  which  I  am  much  obliged. 

June  24th,  4  A.  M. — We  are  ordered  to  march  at  6.  a.  m.  , 
with  baggage  and  transportation.  If  we  go  to  the  front  you  will 
hear  of  us  soon,  unless  the  rebels  skedaddle.  Will  write  when  an 
opportunity  offers.       Your  affectionate  son,  Henry. 


Camp  on  Duck  River, 
Near  Manchester,  Tenn.,  June  30th,  1863. 

Dear  Sister  : 

We  left  Murfreesboro  on  Wednesday,  June  24th,  under 
orders  to  take  and  hold  what  is  known  as  Liberty  Gap,  a  pass  in 
the  range  of  hills  between  Manchester  and  Shelbyville.  Near  Bell 
Buckle  we  found  a  brigade  of  rebels  to  dispute  our  passage,  whi(  h 
ought  to  have  been  sufficient  to  have  held  us  in  check,  considering 
their  position;  but  after  heavy  skirmishing,  amounting  almost  to  a 


—  15  — 


battle,  in  which  ours  and  Davis'  division  lost  about  two  hundred 
killed  and  wounded,  they  were  driven  out.  This  occupied  the  24ih 
and  25  th. 

During  this  time  it  rained  almost  incessantly,  which  made  it  im- 
possible to  get  our  transportation  through.  As  the  main  battle,  if 
any,  was  expected  at  Hoover's  Gap,  on  this  road,  we  were  ordered 
to  make  a  night  march  to  reinforce  Crittenden  and  Thomas  ;  which 
we  did  in  mud  often  knee-deep,  wading  a  creek  seventeen  times 
during  the  night,  camping  about  i  o'clock  with  no  covering  but 
rubber  blankets,  and  raining  in  torrents.  Wiih  a  rail  for  a  pillow 
and  a  bundle  of  wheat  for  a  bed,  I  slept  as  soundly  as  I  ever  did. 

We  were  on  our  way  by  half  past  four  in  the  morning;  arrived 
at  Hoover's  Gap  about  3  p.  m.,  and  found  Hardee's  Corps  had  been 
driven  after  severe  skirmi-hing.  Here  Crittenden's  Corps  moved 
toward  Shelbyville.  Thomas  on  this  road — McCook's  Corps  to  fol- 
low him.  We  were  ordered  to  take  three  days'  rations  and  march 
at  4  A.  M.  on  the  28th.  The  roads  were  impassable,  or  would  be 
considered  so  by  any  other  army,  and  our  train  did  not  get  in 
motion  till  noon.  Our  division  was  the  rear  guard.  We  were 
ordered  to  make  this  point,  but  after  floundering  through  the  mud 
and  rain  until  2  a.  m.  of  the  29th,  we  were  brought  to  a  dead  halt 
during  one  of  the  most  terrific  thunder  storms  I  ever  experienced. 

If  you  had  seen  the  Second  Army  Corps  at  this  time  you  might 
have  realized  what  soldiering  is.  In  five  minutes  every  man  was 
lying  down  in  the  mud  and  water,  and  in  five  minutes  more  were 
sleeping  as  soundly  as  though  at  home.  Perhaps  you  may  doubt 
this,  but  it  is  certainly  true,  for  I  being  in  command  of  Company 
H,  was  called  on  to  furnish  men  for  picket,  and  did  not  find  one 
man  awake.  They  were  so  completely  exhausted  that  many  of  them 
fell  asleep  in  a  sitting  posture.  We  were  on  the  march  again  by 
daylight,  and  arrived  here  about  8  a.  m.  The  rain  continued  to  fall 
in  torrents  until  last  night.  Yesterday  all  knapsacks  and  baggage 
not  actually  needed,  were  ordered  to  be  sent  back.  The  men  were 
not  allowed  to  carry  more  than  '''one  blanket,  either  woolen  or 
rubber."  All  chose  the  rubber,  and  you  may  rest  assured  that  many 
a  poor  fellow  in  this  army  has  reason  to  bless  the  one  who  intro- 
duced them. 

Each  company  was  ordered  to  carry  two  axes,  two  spades  and 
one  pick,  and  be  reduced  to  one-half  rations  of  bread,  and  be  ready 
to  march  at  a  moment's  notice.  This  morning  it  is  reported  ihat  we 


—  16  — 


are  stuck  in  the  mud,  which  I  think  is  very  hkely,  but  one  day's 
sunshine  will  put  us  in  motion  again. 

There  is  a  gigantic  effort  being  made  to  clear  this  State  of  rebels, 
but  the  weather  may  retard  our  progress.  My  opinion  is  that  they 
are  skedaddling  in  every  direction.  There  is  a  report  in  camp  that 
no  letters  will  be  allowed  to  leave  Murfreesboro  for  fifteen  days. 
There  has  been  a  continued  storm  during  the  last  five  days.  Rub- 
ber blankets  keep  our  shoulders  dry,  but  at  night  the  side  next  the 
ground  gets  wet.  Our  feet  have  not  been  dry  a  moment,  and  the 
mud  has  no  bottom^    '      .      -  .  .  i 

Many  have  lost  their  shoes  or  worn  them  outj  and  yet  at  sick  call 
this  morning  not  a  single  man  from  my  company  answered  it, 
although  they  could  have  been  sent  back  if  not  considered  fit  for 
field  duty.  Their  trials  and  hardships  are  borne  with  scarcely  a 
murmur. 

It  seems  to  me  that  such  men  can  never  go  to  a  very  bad  place; 
at  least,  I  have  a  better  opinion  of  the  Ruler  of  all  things  than  to 
suppose  they  will  not  be  rewarded  for  their  devotion  to  their 
country.  My  health  was  never  better.  I  feel  as  well  this  morning 
as  I  could  wish,  I  think  I  have  written  you  several  letters  that  you 
have  never  received  ;  one  in  particular,  with  a  butternut  letter  en- 
closed, that  one  of  our  men  received,  as  you  have  never  mentioned 
it.    Postboy  waits.    Good-bye  for  the  present.    Your  brother, 

Henry. 


TuLLAHOMA,  July  4th,  1863. 

Dear  Mother: 

I  wrote  you  a  few  lines  from  Duck  River,  also  a  letter  to 
sister  Elizabeth.  We  left  our  camp  on  Duck  River  on  the  ist  July 
about  10  A.  M.,  the  roads  almost  impassable  in  places  even  for 
infantry.  We  were  delayed  by  teams  and  artillery  so  much  that 
we  did  not  arrive  here  until  after  midnight.  The  rebels  com- 
menced evacuating  this  place  the  night  before  about  midnight. 
They  were  said  to  have  been  30,000  strong,  and  left  in  such  a  hurry 
as  to  leave  tents  standing,  which  come  very  convenient  to  us,  as  ours 
were  all  thrown  away  or  sent  back.  I  am  now  writing  in  a  tent 
marked    Alabama  Penitentiary !  "    It  is  a  poor  one  but  better  than 


—  17  ~ 


none.  We  are  now  preparing  the  ground  for  a  permanent  camp. 
It  is  said  we  are  to  remain  here  to  hold  this  point.  ^  >K 

General  Rosecrans'  headquarters  are  here.  He  keeps  with  the 
army,  and  consequently  knows  everything  that  transpires.  He 
has  a  movable  telegraph  which  follows  the  advance,  and  as  fast 
as  he  comes  up  it  is  taken  up  and  follows  him.  I  was  on  picket 
yesterday  and  saw  them  taking  it  up  within  an  hour  after  he  passed. 
There  is  a  party  at  each  end,  one  to  pull  down,  the  other  to  put  up. 
They  use  light  poles  through  cleared  land  and  fasten  it  to  branches 
of  trees  in  the  woods,  and  it  is  put  up  very  rapidly. 

Our  baggage  arrived  here  yesterday  ;  everything  saturated  with 
water — my  valise  almost  ruined.  It  has  rained  every  day  since 
we  left  Murfreesboro,  and  such  rains  I  never  saw  before.  I  put 
on  my  first  washing  this  morning — pants,  shirts,  socks,  handker- 
chiefs and  towels,  all  washed  in  cold  water  without  soap.  They 
don't  look  remarkably  white,  but  they  are  cleaner  than  they  were. 
There  has  been  many  times  on  this  march  that  I  had  wished  folks 
at  home  could  have  seen  us.  They  can  form  but  little  idea  of 
our  appearance.  I  walked  through  our  camp  the  night  we  arrived. 
The  men  were  tired  and  worn  out,  and  just  dropped  down  on  the 
ground  and  were  asleep  immediately.  The  peaceful  looking  moon 
was  shining,  O!  so  brightly,  and  their  haggard  and  care-worn 
countenances,  as  they  lay  asleep,  showed  plainly  what  they  had 
gone  through.  Their  courage  and  endurance  is  wonderful.  ^  *  * 
As  ever,  your  affectionate  son,  Henry. 


Camp  Von  Treba, 
Near  Bellefonte,  August  29th,  1863. 

Dear  Father: 

I  have  not  written  you  since  we  left  Camp  Reed,  and 
will  now  endeavor  to  give  you  a  short  description  of  our  march 
here.  We  left  camp  Sunday  at  3  p.  m.,  August  i6th,  with  only 
about  one  hour's  notice,  with  ten  days'  rations.  The  weather  was 
very  hot,  but  as  usual  when  ive  start  on  a  march  it  commenced 
to  rain,  which  made  slippery  and  muddy  marching,  but  it  cleared 
off  next  day  and  we  were  free  from  dust. 

2 


4 


~  18  — 


Oar  camp  Sunday  night  was  on  Elk  River,  seven  miles  from' 
Tullahoma.  The  next  day  we  marched  through  Manchester  and 
camped  five  miles  beyond.  The  next  day's  march  of  twenty-five 
miles  was  very  severe,  owing  to  the  heat,  and  we  reached  the 
foot  of  the  ('umberland  Mountains,  on  Hurricane  Fork,  but  owing 
to  our  having  to  diverge  from  our  route,  by  reason  of  a  pontoon  train 
blocking  up  the  road,  over  the  mountain,  night  found  us  no  nearer 
Bellefonte,  our  point  of  destination,  than  when  we  started  in  the 
morning,  with  a  much  worse  road  to  cross.  To  the  top  of  the 
mountain  it  was  about  2400  yards,  and  the  elevation  about  800 
yards,  and  we  were  ordered  to  reach  Bellefonte  by  Thursday,  but 
we  were  just  two  days  getting  our  trains  to  the  top  of  the  moun- 
tain, it  requiring  ten  mules  and  fifteen  or  twenty  men  to  get  a 
sinGfle  waggon  alon^;  the  road.  Such  cuttino;,  slashing;  and  swear- 
ing  I  think  never  could  have  been  heard  before  or  since.  It  was 
between  Winchester  and  the  mountains  that  Colonel  McCook  was 
murdered  last  summer,  and  very  little  restraint  was  put  upon 
the  men  while  in  that  neighborhood.  A  very  large  farm  at  the 
foot  of  the  mountain,  where  the  division  lay  while  the  teams  were 
climbing  the  road,  was  completely  shorn  of  everything — not  an  ear 
of  corn,  peach  nor  apple,  of  which  there  was  an  abundance,  was' 
left.  The  old  man,  owner  of  the  place,  had  some  ten  or  fifteen 
hives  of  bees  which  were  all  taken  and  the  contents  appropriated 
/  in  short  order,  also  cliickens,  turkeys,  geese  and  everything  that 
could  be  eaten.  There  are,  no  doubt,  many  who  would  say  all 
rebels  should  be  treated  this  way  by  our  army,  but  could  they  see 
the  demoralizing  effects  of  such  a  course  upon  the  men  they 
would  be  satisfied  it  was  the  worst  policy  that  could  be  pursued. 
Men  must  be  restrained  by  severe  discipline  in  an  army  or  they  will 
soon  run  into  excesses  that  will  render  them  totally  unfit  for  duty. 
The  desire  for  plunder,  tear  down  and  destroy,  is  one  of  the  most 
degrading  instincts  of  our  nature,  and  will  soon_  destroy  the  use- 
fulness of  the  best  of  troops. 

After  arriving  on  the  top  of  the  mountain  we  had  a  pleasant, 
sandy  and  shady  road.  At  every  halt  the  men  would  go  out  in 
the  woods  in  search  of  rattlesnakes,  which  seemed  the  princi- 
pal production  of  the  country,  and  were  killed  in  great  numbers^ 
within  a  few  feet  of  the  road. 

The  inhabitants  of  these  mountain  regions  seem  very  ignorant,, 


—  10 


especially  the  women,  who  all  chew  tobacco  and  dip  snuff.  I 
asked  one  woman  how  far  it  was  to  the  next  town.  She  did  not 
know;  she  had  never  kearn  tell.  Another  did  not  know  the  name 
of  the  creek  she  was  lining  by-.  She  "  had /<^c?cz/7i  it  called  a  ^r^^ 
but  never  heani  no  name  for  it.''' 

On  Sunday  night  we  camped  on  top  of  the  mountain,  and  ar- 
rived here  Saturday  the  2 2d,  We  are  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile 
from  the  town  of  Bellefonte,  a  poor  looking  an-d  dilapidated  place. 
The  citizens  all  leave  about  this  time  of  the  year,  it  is  said,  on 
account  of  sickness  of  the  locality— fevers  seem  to  prevail.  The 
Tennessee  River  is  about  half  a  mile  from  our  camp,  with  very 
high  hills  on  the  opposite  side.  We  are  in  a  valley,  -and  have 
very  heavy  fogs  and  quite  cool  nights.  Our  camp  is  very  pleas- 
ant. The  men  have  taken  great  pains  to  make  themselves  corn- 
fortable,  General  Johnson  allowing  them  to  tear  down  abouj:  half 
the  town  and  pick  up  all  loose  boards,  and  those  that  are  not  loose 
soon  become  so;  and  they  have  built  comfortable  bunks,  and  with 
the  aid  of  grass  and  cedar  boughs  they  are  very  comfortably  fixed,' 
The  grounds  are  kept  very  clean,  |_and  fires  are  built  night  and 
morning  to  keep  off  the  damp. 

Deserters  are  constantly  coming  within  our  lines. 

There  seems  considerable  corn  growing,  though  I  dor^'t  think 
tthere  is  much  prospect  of  the  rebels  harvesting  it. 

Your  son,  Hexrv. 

P.  S.  Sunday,  August  3cth.  We  are  ordered  to  March  at  7 
o'clock  this  mcrning.    Don"'t  know  ^^here. 


De  Kalb  Cocnty,  Alabama, 
Near  tke  Georgia  Lixe,  September  4th,  1863-. 
Dear  Father  : 

I  wrote  yeu  the  morning  we  left  Camp  Von  Treba,  and,  as 
we  will  lay  here  until  noon,  \\\\\  write  you  a  few  lines.  We  marched 
to  within  a  short  distance  of  Stephenson,  Alabama,  where  we  crossed 
the  Tennessee  on  pontoons.  It  was  about  four  hundred  yards  wide, 
;and  took  fifty-seven  pontoons,  and  was  put  across  in  four  hours, 
'^Ve  camped  about  a  mile  from  the  river,  at  the  foot  of  the  Jmoun- 


tain,  on  Monday  night,  and  laid  there  until  Wednesday  morning  for 
other  troops  to  cross.  It  took  all  of  Wednesday  to  get  one  train  up 
the  mountain.  Ye&terday  we  were  rear-guard  of  our  division,  and 
had  a  very  hard  day's  march,  not  starting  until  nearly  noon,  and 
making  about  fifteen  miles,  the  dust  shoe-mouth  deep.  When  we 
left  Camp  Von  Treba  our  destination  was  Trenton,  Georgia,  and 
that  may  be  our  point  yet,  but  our  course  yesterday  was  nearly 
south,  a  little  east,  which  would  indicate  some  other  point ;  but  it 
may  be  necessary  to  go  in  this  direction  to  get  around  some  moun- 
tain or  other  obstacle.  We  had  another  reduction  of  baggage  at 
the  foot  of  the  mountain,  and  now  only  three  wagons  are  allowed 
to  a  regiment,  and  we  are  evidently  going  to  penetrate  Georgia^ 
perhaps  to  flank  Chattanooga,  where  the  Rebs  are  said  to  be  work- 
ing night  and  day  on  the  fortifications.  Nothing  seems  to  indicate 
a  probability  of  our  defeat,  else  such  extensive  trains  as  we  have 
would  have  been  left  on  the  other  side  of  the  Tennessee.  The  en- 
tire army  must  be  south  of  that  river.  One-half  of  the  railroad 
bridge  at  Bridgeport  was  destroyed,  and  will  have  to  be  rebuilt  be- 
fore we  can  go  very  far. 

If  we  can  get  possession  of  the  road  leading  to  Atlanta,  they  will 
have  to  whip  Rosecrans,  or  their  entire  army  will  be  captured  or 
scattered.  If  they  allow  us  to  flank  them,  and  then  make  a  stands 
the  fight  will  be  desperate;  but  they  must  be  in  a  desperate  strait^ 
though  they  are  fifty  thousand  strong,  as  we  learn.  The  recent 
casligations  they  have  had  must  surely  dishearten  them.  We  find 
everything  deserted  as  we  march  along,  and  I  don^t  wonder  much, 
for  nothing  but  destruction  marks  our  path,  and  I  am  sorry  to  say 
that  occasional  acts  are  perpetrated  that  only  fiends  could  be  guilty 
of.    It  is  a  great  misfortune  to  live  in  the  track  of  an  army. 

We  are  without  tents  again,  but  so  long  as  the  weather  remains 
pleasant  we  don't  need  them.  They,  with  all  extra  baggage,  are 
stored  at  Stephenson.  The  men  are  in  good  health  and  spirits. 
There  is  very  little  known  of  the  intentions  of  the  Commander,  but 
it  seems  to  me  Rosecrans  is  massing  his  forces,  or  going  to  some- 
where at  or  near  Rome,  Georgia. 

The  mail  will  be  very  uncertain  for  some  time.  This  will,  per- 
haps, not  leave  before  day  after  to-morrow,  but  I  thought  I  would 
have  it  ready.    Hoping  to  hear  from  you  soon,  I  am,  as  ever. 

Your  affectionate  son,  Henry. 


»_21  ~ 


September  5tli. — We  moved  yesterday  about  four  miles,  and  are 
encamped  in  a  valley  west  of  Lookout  Mountain.  Several  thou- 
sand cavalry  left  here  yesterday  morning  on  a  raid.  We  are  about 
haif-way  between  Trenton  and  Lebanon.  I  have  just  thought  that 
this  is  my  birthday;  forty  years  old — past  the  average  of  human 
life !  I  have  seen  enough  confusion  during  the  past  year,  and  I 
feel  like  ending  the  balance  of  my  life  in  quiet.  This  kind  of  life 
I  fear  will  have  the  opposite  effect  on  very  many  who  have  been 
leading  a  soldier's  life,  and  I  sometimes  fear  for  the  consequences 
when  the  army  is  disbanded  after  this  war  is  over.  It  seems  now 
that  nothing  but  the  strictest  military  regulations  can  control  them. 

Henry. 


Chattanooga,  September  2 2d,  1863. 

Dear  Father: 

The  events  of  the  last  few  days  have  been  so  exciting  and 
frought  with  so  m^iny  events  of  interest,  that  I  hardly  know  where 
to  begin,  and  I  have  forgotten  when  and  where  I  last  wrote  you, 
but  believe  it  was  at  the  foot  of  Lookout  Mountain.  Since  then, 
until  last  Thursday  evening,  when  we  joined  the  main  army,  we 
were  marching  and  counter-marching  among  the  mountains,  seeking 
an  outlet  by  which  we  could  join  the  main  body  on  Chickaraauga 
Creek.  We  came  off  the  mountains  Thursday  afternoon,  and  went 
into  camp  about  dark,  after  a  march  of  nearly  thirty  miles.  Next 
morning  we  were  sent  to  the  front,  and  placed  upon  picket  within 
a  few  hundred  yards  of  the  enemy's  pickets.  There  were  occa- 
sional shots  during  the  day  and  night  exchanged  by  the  pickets, 
without  any  injury,  on  our  side  at  least.  On  Saturday  morning, 
there  not  being  any  considerable  force  in  our  front,  we  were  moved 
to  a  position  near  the  left  of  our  line  of  battle.  Fighting  had  com- 
menced before  we  got  our  position,  which  was  about  noon.  In 
half  an  hour  our  brigade  was  engaged,  the  Fifth  Kentucky  and 
First  Ohio  in  advance,  the  Ninety-third  and  Sixth  Indiana  support- 
ing them.  We  had  driven  the  enemy  about  a  mile,  when  they 
attacked  the  Fifth  Kentucky  on  the  left  flank,  and  we  immediately 
went  to  their  relief  and  were  hotly  engaged  for  about  two  hours, 
when  they  gave  back.  Our  ammunition  was  nearly  exhausted,  and 
I  was  sent  back  for  a  supply.    During  my  absence  our  regiment 


made  temporary  breastworks  of  logs.  Our  cartridge  boxes  were 
hardly  replenished  when  we  heard  the  enemy's  cry  of  "  forward^^ 
double-quick!"  They  came  on  with  a  rush,  and  we  poured  in  a 
galling  fire  which  checked  them  for  a  moment,  but  another  line 
coming  immediately  behind,  pressed  us  so  hard  that  we  were  forced 
back  a  short  distance.  It  was  during  this  charge  that  Colonel  Strong 
was  wounded  in  the  shoulder,  and  was  carried  off  the  field.: 
Colonel  Baldwin,  our  brigade  commander,  came  up  at  this  moment^ 
and  seeing  our  wavering  condition  and  our  colonel  wounded,; 
grasped  our  colors  and  shouted  "  forward  I"  and  the  men,  taking  up 
the  shout,  charged  widi  such  determination  that  the  rebs  were,  forced 
to  give  way,  and  we  pursued  them  about  two  hundred  yards  beyond 
our  breast-works  and  captured  two  pieces  of  artillery. 

They  had  another  double  line  immediately  in  our  front  v/hich  we 
did  not  consider  prudent  to  attack,  and  fell  back  to  our  breast- 
works. We  lay  there  until  nearly  sundown,  when  they  attacked  us 
with,  as  I  thought,  fresh  troops.  We  held  our  position  until  dark,, 
when  we  fell  back,  they  fohowiDg  us,  and  the  fighting  continued  until 
after  dark.  One  of  our  guns  became  entangled  in  the  underbrush  and 
trees — it  all  being  in  heavy  timber — and  we  lost  it.  Both  parties 
now  retired  for  the  night.  After  dark  our  men  became  a  good  dea| 
scattered.  We  had  ten  killed  and  some  sixty  wounded  in  the  day's 
fight,  quite  a  number  missing.  Next  morning — Sunday — the  Ninety- 
third  could  muster  about  one  hundred  and  twenty  men  for  duty.: 
We  built  breastworks  again  of  logs,  which  proved  of  great  ser- 
vice during  the  day.  About  9  o'clock  the  ball  opened  again  in 
earnest,  and  raged  v^ith  unparalleled  fury  until  noon.  Our  regi- 
ment and  brigade  held  their  position  firmiy.  From  noon  until  3; 
o'clock  we  could  distinctly  hear  the  rebel  officers  urging  their  men 
forward,  but  th^y  could  not  be  induced  to  face  what  they  knew 
they  could  not  drive. 

The  fighting  on  the  right  and  left  was  now  terrific.  Our  forces 
on  the  left  were  forced  back;  the  right  was  also  giving  way,  and 
this  completely  cut  us  off. 

Colonel  Berry  now  ordered  the  First  Oliio  and  Fifth  Kentucky 
to  attack  the  flank  of  the  enemy  that  were  driving  our  left,  which 
they  did,  and  opened  a  way  for  our  retreat,  which  was  made  with- 
out pursuit,  although  we  had  to  pass  a  cross-fire  of  shot  and  shell 
that  was  furious. 


—  23  — 


Our  brigade  and  division  is  highly  complimented  for  its  fighting 
quaUties.  General  Johnson  has  reason  to  be  proud  of  it.  Never 
did  men  hold  their  position  with  more  tenacity,  but  I  know  also 
that  other  divisions  did  as  well.  The  rebels  were  not  in  a  condition 
to  follow.  In  our  front  they  must  have  lost  largely.  We  suffered 
but  litde — thanks  to  our  breastworks;  only  one  man  killed  and 
fifteen  wounded  during  Sunday, 

For  some  days  previous  to  the  fight  I  had  been  quite  unv%^ell,  and 
but  for  the  reflections  that  are  almost  sure  to  be  cast  upon  an  officer 
who  is  absent  from  his  command  at  the  critical  moment,  I  would 
have  gone  to  the  hospital  at  Stephenson,  some  days  before,  I  was 
not  able  to  i¥>alk,  and  had  been  riding  on  the  ambulance  for  three 
or  four  days.  The  excitement  gave  me  strength,  however,  and  I 
went  through  the  ^irst  day  tolerably  well,  but  the  second  day  my 
energies  seemed  to  desert  me,  and  I  frequently  found  myself  in- 
clining to  sleep,  notwithstanding  the  din  and  roar  of  battle  all 
around  me.  The  order  for  retreat  aroused  me  from  my  lethargy, 
and  I  made  a  desperate  effort  to  escape  being  captured.  We  fell 
back  about  four  miles  and  encamped  for  the  night.  We  had  scarcely 
anything  to  eat  for  two  days,  and  nothing  to  cover  us  at  night, 
although  I  captured  a  rebel  blanket  the  first  night,  but  was  unable 
to  carry  it  in  the  retreat. 

Yesterday  morning  I  got  permission  from  Colonel  Berry  to  go  to 
the  rear,  and  am  now  in  the  officers'  hospital.  A  few  days'  rest  will 
set  me  all  right.    I  feel  better  to-day. 

.  The  rebels,  it  seems,  outnumbered  us  very  considerably.  Rose- 
crans,  I  hear,  did  not  expect  to  fight  them  until  Burnside's  and  a 
portion  of  Grant's  army  arrived.  Why  they  are  not  here  is  a 
query. 

Our  lines  are  near  the  town,  and  if  reinforcements  arrive  soon, 
all  well.  Our  trains  are  ail  safely  over  the  river,  and  we  have 
nothing  to  guard.  The  rebs  will  probably  attack  us  again  to-morrow, 
if  not  to  day,  as  they  must  know  we  are  looking  for  reinforcements. 
A  great  many  come  into  our  lines  and  give  themselves  up.  I  don't 
think  that  the  Kentucky  or  Tennessee  troops  were  placed  in  their 
front  lines. 

Lieutenant  Anderson  is  safe. 

I  have  not  had  a  change  of  clothing  since  leaving  Bellefonte.  ' 


—  24  — 


September  23d. — I  am  across  the  river  with  our  train.  Can  take 
better  care  of  myself  here  than  in  the  hospital.  Don't  be  alarmed 
about  me — a  few  days'  rest  will  put  me  all  right.    Ycur  son, 

Henry. 


October  29th,  1863. 

Dear  Father  : 

I  keep  so  little  account  of  time  that  I  hardly  know  when  I 
last  wrote  you,  and  the  past  three  days  have  been  so  full  of  excite- 
ment and  interest  to  our  brigade,  and,  indeed,  to  the  whole  Army 
of  the'  Cumberland,  that  J  have  hardly  thought  of  anything  else 
than  that  which  pertains  to  our  duty  here.  Our  brigade  is  com- 
posed of  nine  regiments,  viz.  r  Sixth  Ohio,  Sixth  Indiana,  Fifth, 
Sixth  and  Twenty-third  Kentucky,  First,  Forty  first,  Ninety-third, 
and  One  Hundred  and  Twenty-fourth  Ohio,  commanded  by  Briga- 
dier General  W.  Hazen.  On  Sunday  last  we  were  ordered  to 
select  125  men  from  our  regiment,  to  be  divided  into  five  squads, 
of  twenty-four  men  each,  and  one  commissioned  officer.  Enough 
men  were  selected  from  the  brigade  to  make  fifty-two  such  squads. 
They  were  divided  into  two  detachments;  one  commanded  by 
Colonel  Wylie,  of  the  Forty-first  Ohio,  the  other  by  Major  Birch, 
of  the  Ninety-third  Ohio,  and  the  whole  by  General  Hazen.  The 
balance  of  the  regiments  were  commanded  by  Colonel  Langdon,  of 
the  First  Ohio.  The  commanders  of  regiments  were  ordered  to 
select  those  that  could  be  most  depended  upon,  and  who  had  never 
flinched  in  the  discharge  of  their  duty.  I  had  the  honor  to  com- 
mand one  of  the  squads  from  our  regiment.  The  desire  to  know 
what  was  going  on  was  intense,  and  speculation  ran  high.  We 
had  been  living  on  less  than  half  rations  for  some  time,  and  the 
prospect  of  an  increase  of  fare  looked  gloomy  enough.  The  only 
road  to  haul  over  was  impassable  almost,  and  the  forage  for  the 
animals  so  scarce  that  they  were  dying  like  rotten  sheep.  The 
rebels  held  the  river  and  two  wagon  roads  as  well  as  the  railroad. 
Our  supplies  had  to  be  hauled  a  distance  of  sixty  miles,  over  very 
bad  roads.  By  the  roads  the  rebels  held,  twenty-eight  miles  haul- 
ing would  only  be  necessary.  It  was  surmised  that  an  effort  was 
to  be  made  to  open  the  short  route  to  Bridgeport^  and  to  do  this  it 


was  necessary  to  gain  the  opposite  or  southern  bank  of  the  river, 
some  two  miles  below  Lookout  Mountain.  On  Monday  we  organ- 
ized our  squads,  and  on  Tuesday  e\ening  Colonel  Langdon  was 
ordered  to  get  his  remnants  of  regiments  in  readiness  to  march,  as 
we  supposed,  to  Bridgeport.  They  got  started  about  lo  o'clock 
p.  M.  Our  squads  had  no  notice  yet.  I  went  to  bed  fully  expect- 
ing work  before  morning.  At  midnight  we  were  aroused  and  or- 
dered to  march  immediately.  In  half  an  hour  we  were  off.  Our 
course  was  towards  the  pontoon  bridge,  where  we  soon  arrived,  and 
found  fifty-two  pontoon  boats  ready,  in  which  we  embarked,  with 
orders  to  preserve  the  strictest  silence.  AVe  had  to  run  the  block- 
ade for  a  distance  perhaps  of  four  miles,  land  and  storm  a  hill  oc= 
cupied  by  the  enemy,  some  two  or  three  hundred  feet  high,  and 
almost  perpendicular.  It  was  a  beautiful  night,  the  moon  al- 
most full,  which  was  greatly  against  us,  and  as  we  glided  silently 
down  the  stream,  no  sound,  save  the  occasional  dipping  of  an  oar, 
we  had  plenty  of  time  for  reflection,  and  I  presume  of  the  1300 
men  in  these  frail  boats,  that  a  single  cannon  shot  would  sink,  the 
reflections  were  much  the  same  ;  home  and  the  dear  ones  came  in 
for  a  good  share.  The  boat  I  occupied  was  about  the  center  of  the 
fleet.  We  were  to  land  at  separate  points,  about  one-fourth  of  a 
mile  apart.  When  within  half  a  mile  of  our  place  for  landing,  the 
front  boats  were  fired  upon  as  they  were  landing,  which  we  ex- 
])ected  would  alarm  the  rebel  camp  and  subject  us  to  a  heavy  fire 
when  we  attempted  to  land,  as  wekn-.w  everything  depended  upon 
our  getting  to  the  top  of  the  bluff  before  daylight,  and  as  silence 
was  now  of  no  use,  we  urged  our  oarsmen  to  pull  hard  and  make 
a  speedy  landing,  which  was  done  with  a  will,  and  as  the  boats 
touched  the  land  every  man  sprang;  ashore,  and  made  for  the  top 
of  the  bluff  as  fast  as  possible,  and  this  was  not  very  fast,  I  assure 
you,  the  ascent  being  \'ery  steep  and  rocky.  However,  we  gained 
the  summit  just  at  daylight,  and  found  the  top  of  the  ridge  hardly 
wide  enough  for  two  men  to  stand  upon,  and  the  descent,  on  the 
opposite  side,  just  as  great.  The  rebels,  having  been  alarmed,  were 
making  a  desperate  effort  to  climb  to  the  summit,  but  we  were  about 
five  minutes  ahead,  and  they  were  compelled  to  beat  a  hasty  retreat 
by  a  few  shots  from  our  skirmishers.  The  detachment  which  landed 
below  was  not  quite  so  fortunate.  They  had  three  or  four  killed 
and  several  wounded.    We  took  several  prisoners,  and  they  con- 


—  26  — 


fessed  it  was  a  complete  surprise,  and  ''a  d  d  Yankee  trick  !  " 

Tlie  pontoons  were  immediately  put  to  work  ferrying  over  the  rem- 
nants of  our  brigade,  which  had  marched  to  the  opposite  bank  of 
the  river,  and  were  ready  to  reinforce  us.  They  also  brought  a 
supply  of  plank,  and  by  3  p.  m.,  of  the  same  day,  we  h^id  sl  good 
pontoon  bridge  over  the  river,  which  made  our  position  secure. 

It  was  a  daring  feat,  well  planned  and  successfully  carried  out.  We 
all  felt  much  better  afterwards,  too.  We  were  immediately  set  to  work 
building  breast-works  o{  logs,  and  by  10  a.  m.  felt  ourselves  secure 
against  any  force  the  rebs  couid  bring  against  us.  W^  left  camp 
wiihobt  a  morsel  in  our  haversacks,  but  our  boys  soon  found  plenty 
of  corn  to  pirch,  and  some  fat  hogs  and  cattle  which  were  quickly 
appropriated  to  our  use.  The  enemy  attemp.ed  to  shell  us  out  for 
a  time,  but  soon  gave  it  up.  Yesterday,  about  3  p.  m.,  a  shot  from 
Lookout  Mountain,  which  is  less  that  three  miles  from  us,  seemed 
to  indicate  that  a  force  was  ap})roaching  from  another  direction, 
and  we  began  to  prepare  for  friend  or  foe,  and  our  suspense  was 
soon  relieved  by  the  appearance  of  the  advance  guard  of  General 
Hooker's  eastern  troops  coming  down  the  valley.  At  first  they 
came  very  cautiously,  not  knowing  whether  we  were  friends  or  foes, 
but  when  we  waved  the  old  fldg  they  sent  up  a  shout  that  fairly 
made  the  hills  shake.  They  camped  in  the  valley  below  us,  and 
we  and  they  were  soon  mingling  as  only  soldiers  and  brothers  can. 
Their  camp  fires  at  night  })resented  a  magnificent  sight  as  we  looked, 
at  them  from  our  heights ;  but  they  were  not  allowed  to  rest  very 
long.  About  midnight  the  rebs  attacked  their  pickets,  and  they 
were  called  to  arms.  The  Thirty-third  Massachusetts  and  Seventy- 
third  Ohio  made  a  desperate  cliarge  on  the  rebel  works  and  drove 
them  out,  losing  about  thirty  killed  and  about  a  hundred  wounded, 
the  fight  lasting  about  three  hours,  and  was  an  entire  success.  The 
men  had  to  climb  a  very  steep  hill  and  force  them  from  their  works 
at  the  point  of  the  bryonet.  These  two  regiments  deserve  the 
highest  praise  for  their  determined  bravery. 

October  31st. — We  are  siill  occup\ing  the  same  position  as  when 
I  wrote  the  above.  We  now  hold  the  river  and  road  to  Bridgeport, 
except  about  two  miles  between  us  and  Chattanooga,  wliere  Look- 
out Point  comes  to  the  river.  We  have  fitted  up  two  old  steam- 
boats. One  ran  the  blockade  night  before  last,  and  is  expected  to 
return  to  our  ponioon  from  Bridgeport  to-day  wiih  rations.  The 


1 


CHATTANOOGA  AND  SURROUNDINGS. 


'■i 


other  will  probably  be  down  to-night.  We  are  building  a  corduroy 
road  across  the  point  from  our  pontoon  to  the  one  opposite  Chatta- 
nooga, some  two  or  t.iree  miles,  and  will  have  a  landing  here  which 
\xi\\  make  us  independent  of  the  blockade  at  Point  Lookout. 

Yesterday  I  had  charge  of  a  fatigue  party  at  work  on  the  road. 
It  rained  all  day,  but  nothing  short  of  a  flood  would  stop  work 
here.  We  have  no  tents  with  us,  and  it  makes  little  difference 
where  we  are.  The  rain  continued  last  night.  After  wringing  out 
our  blankets,  we  wrapped  ourselves  up  in  them  and  turned  in.  I 
felt  quite  unwell  when  I  laid  down,  but  I  went  through  a  steam- 
ing process  under  the  wet  bLmket,  and  I  am  all  right  this  morning. 
I  have  a  prospect  of  going  to  Nashville  on  business  for  the  regiment 
soon,  and,  if  I  do,  will  try  to  drop  you  a  bne  from  that  point.  I 
enclose  a  rough  sketch  of  Chattanooga  and  surroundings.  Love 
to  all.    From  your  affectionate  son,  Henry. 


Capitol  Building, 
Nashville,  Tenn.,  November  14th,  1863.  * 

Dear  Father : 

I  left  Chattanooga  on  Tuesday  last  with  stores  for  convales- 
cents, which  I  left  at  Stephenson,  and  came  on  here  on  cars  in 
search  of  baggage  belonging  to  some  six  regiments,  which  was  sent 
here  to  be  stored  last  summer.  I  don't  know  how  long  I  shall  be 
here,  but  perhaps  several  days,  as  it  is  difficult  to  get  transportation, 
and  red  tape  unwinds  slowly.  When  I  return  I  shall  apply  for 
leave  of  absence,  and  come  home,  if  possible,  for  a  short  time. 

I  am  sitting  in  cousin  Edward's  office.  He  is  on  General  Gil- 
lam's  staff,  pleasantly  situated,  I  think.  When  you  write,  address 
me  at  this  pbce,  care  Adjutant  General's  Ofhce,  and  Edward  will 
send  it  me.    Affectionateb.-,  }  Our  son^  Henry. 


Chattanooga,  February  5th,  1864. 

Dear  Sister  : 

I  arrived  here  yesterday,  but  the  prospect  for  getting  for- 
ward is  not  very  encouraging,  no  person  being  allowed  to  go  by^ 
boat. 


—  28  — 


Our  regiment,  I  learn,  is  near  London. 
The  weather  here  is  very  beantifui  now. 

My  anxiety  about  affairs  at  Knoxville  seems  to  decrease  as  I  near 
the  place.    There  seems  to  be  no  alarm  for  that  point  here. 

I  hear  that  Lieutenant  Isaac  Anderson  was  wounded  at  the  recent 
fijht  at  Strawberry  Plains.    I  sincerely  hope  not  seriously. 

I  shall  go  for^vard  the  first  opportunity. 

Your  affectionate  brother, 

Henry. 


Knoxville,  Tenn.,  February  nth,  1864. 

Dear  Father : 

I  wrote  sister  from  Chattanooga,  not  expecting  to  be  here 
so  soon,  but  being  acquainted  with  one  of  the  sanitary  agents  at 
Chattanooga,  and  learning  that  they  were  allowed  to  ship  thirty 
packages  on  each  boat,  with  an  agent  in  charge,  I  offered  to  take 
charge  of  one  of  the  shipments  so  that  I  might  get  to  the  regiment, 
which  I  learn  is  at  Lenoir,  about  six  miles  from  Loudon,  which  ac- 
counts for  my  being  here.    I  shall  go  to  the  regiment  to  morrow. 

The  railroad  from  Chattanooga  to  this  place  will  be  ia  running 
order  in  a  few  days,  except  the  bridge  at  Loudon. 

From  Chattanooga  to  Loudon  by  river  is  t6o  miles.  The 
weather  was  very  fine,  and  our  trip  was  very  pleasant.  Our  list  of 
passengers  consisted  of  Generals  Schofield  and  Stoneman,  with  one 
aid,  and  Captain  Sturgis,  a  brother  of  General  Sturgis,  a  mail 
agent,  a  correspondent  of  the  Cincinnati  Commercial  and  myself. 

I  hope  General  Sthofield  will  prove  more  efficient  than  General 
Foster  has  the  reputation  of  here.  The  Dandridge  affair  seems, 
from  the  best  accounts  I  can  get,  to  have  been  a  miserable  scare. 
It  seems  to  me  our  superior  officers,  and  more  especially  those  of 
the  regular  army,  don't  appreciate  the  courage  of  our  citizen  sol- 
diers. Our  men  really  want  to  fight,  but  they  don't  get  half  a 
chance  to  show  what  they  can  do.  From  what  I  have  seen  of  our 
men  I  believe  they  will  prove,  under  skillful  and  courageous  offi- 
cers, like  old  Zach.  Taylor  for  instance,  the  best  soldiers  the  world 
ever  saw.  We  have  come  out  here  to  fight  and  to  win,  and  we  in- 
tend to  do  it.  I  am  of  the  opinion  that  after  awhile,  when  our  gen- 
erals really  know  us,  that  you  will  see  some  ^V^z//"  fighting. 


Knoxville  has  more  the  appearance  of  a  northern  town  than  any 
town  I  have  yet  seen  in  the  South. 

Xo  alarm  is  feU  at  present  of  an  advance  by  the  rebels. 

Supplies  are  limited  and  will  continue  to  be  until  the  railroad  is 
finished. 

Military  affairs  here  seem  to  have  been  managed  rather  loosely. 
The  new  commandant  will  have  a  good  opportunity  to  show  his 
ability  in  securing  good  discipline, 

Lieutenint  Anderson  is  here.  He  was  wounded  in  the  sk  rmish 
at  Dandridge  in  his  left  arm.     Pie  is  doing  well. 

I  am  feeling  better  than  when  I  left  home,  though  I  have  not 
been  subject  lately  to  any  great  exposure.  I  am  in  hopes  to  be  able 
soon  to  get  assigned  to  some  duty  where  I  shall  not  be  expo-ed  to 
picket  duty,  as  I  wish  to  remain  m  the  servije  as  long  as  the  other 
boys  of  the  regiment.        As  ever,  your  aftectionate  son, 

Henry, 


Chattanooga,  February  19th,  1S64. 

Dear  Sister  : 

Since  I  wrote  you  last,  I  have  been  to  Knoxville  and  to  the 
regiment,  which  was  encamped  at  Lenoir  Station,  on  the  railroad 
leading  fiom  here.  I  found  them  enjoying  perfect  health—not  a 
man  to  attend  sick  call.  I  wish  you  could  have  seen  them.  They 
were  having  good  times  after  the  hard  work,  and  the  miserable  re- 
treat from  Dandridge,  which  was  much  against  their  wishes.  Gen- 
erals Hazen  and  Willich  think  it  was  a  disgraceful  affair.  Had  the 
boys  been  allowed,  they  would  have  driven  Longstreet  from  the 
country.  It's  shameful,  such  affairs,  The  boys  have  left  their  homes 
and  friends  to  come  out  here  to  fight,  and  those  in  command  wcn't 
let  them.  They  are  not  understood  by  those  in  command.  Surely, 
we  all  feel  that  this  war  can't  be  ended  without  fighting,  and  we 
want  it  to  begin  right  away.  I  never  saw  men  more  put  out.  I  was 
with  the  regiment  only  three  days,  and  was  ordered  here  to  bring 
up  goods,  and  am  now  awaiting  transportation. 

Since  leaving  the  regiment,  I  learned  they  marched  the  next  day 
after  I  left  to  Knoxville,  and  the  report  here  to-day  is,  that  heavy 
fighting  has  been  going  or  at  Knoxville.    It  may  only  be  a  rumor, 


=^  30  ™ 


however,  though  I  am  satisfied  the  rebs  have  nothing  to  gain  by  de- 
Liy,  and  if  they  expect  to  win  must  strike  quickly. 

On  the  cars,  coming  here,  were  quite  a  number  of  East  Tennessee 
and  North  Georgia  refugees,  and  amongst  them  were  two  privates 
of  the  Thirty- fifth  Ohio,  who  were  taken  prisoners  at  Chickamauga 
and  taken  to  Richmond,  where  they  were  about  l^eing  removed  to 
some  point  in  Georgia  when  they  and  several  others  managed  to 
escape  and  made  their  way  through  the  Confederacy,  coming  into 
our  hnes  at  Maysvillc.  They  were  three  months  travehng,  nearly 
the  whole  way  at  night,  subsisting  for  six  days  at  a  time  on  corn 
alone.  The  last  half  of  the  way  they  found  great  difficulty  in 
getting  along,  as  they  had  to  avoid  the  roads.  The  darkies  were 
their  only  sure  friends,  and  had  they  not  fallen  in  with  a  Union 
man,  named  the  ''Red  Fox,"  who  has  been  engaged  in  piloting 
refugees  and  fugitives  through  the  mountains  ever  since  the  begin- 
ning  of  the  w^ar,  they  would  probably  have  been  captured.  This 
man  charges  everyone  he  brings  safely  through  ten  dollars,  unless 
he  enlists  in  the  Union  army,  and  if  he  does  so  enlist,  he  on]y 
charges  two  dollars  !    The  rebs  have  tried  in  vain  to  catch  him. 

The  mountains,  in  fact,  are  full  of  Union  men  fleeing  from  the 
rebel  conscript.  The  people  of  East  Tennessee  are  different  from 
any  I  have  seen  south — much  more  like  the  northern  people.  More 
even  than  those  of  Kentucky,  and  as  loyal  generally  as  those  of 
the  north  ;  but  they  are  terribly  surrounded,  and  I  fear  will  sufi^'er 
before  this  war  is  over.    Your  affectionate  brother, 

Henry. 


Knoxville,  March  7  th,  1864. 

Dear  Father  : 

I  am  again  here  v/here  the  convalescents  of  our  brigade  are 
in  camp.  The  regiment,  together  with  the  balance  of  the  Fourth, 
Ninth  and  Twenty-third  Army  Corps,  have  gone  in  pursuit  of  Long- 
street,  and  I  understand  found  him  in  position  at  Bull's  Gap.  Our 
brigade  is  near  Newmarket. 

There  is  a  rumor  to-day  that  hospital  stewards  and  surgeons  have 
orders  to  prepare  supplies  for  a  thirty-diys'  campaign,  which  looks 
very  much  like  a  fight.    I  suppose  all  that  are  able  will  be  sent  to 


™  31  — 


the  front,  and  I  will  be  0112  of  that  number,  as  I  am  much  better 
than  I  have  been  for  several  months.  I  am  afraid  Longstreet"s 
forces  are  more  than  a  match  for  what  we  can  bring  against  him 
at  present,  but  presume  the  generals  are  posted. 

I  don't  feel  as  confident  of  this  army  as  I  did  of  the  Army  of 
the  Cumberland;  and  nowhere  this  side  of  Na^ihville  do  matters 
seem  as  well  managed  as  when  Rosecrans  had  command.  There 
may  be  better  fighting  generals  than  he.  but  none  that  I  have 
seen  are  equal  to  him  in  organizing  and  disciplining  an  army  and 
keeping  his  men  together. 

I  received  a  letter  from  sister  yesterday,  of  February  nth, 
the  only  line  I  have  had  for  months.  We  are  almost  out  of  the  world 
as  regards  news. 

General  Hazen  has  come  in  from  the  front.  He  thinks  our  di- 
vision wi.l  return  to  Chattanooga.     He  leaves  for  Ohio  to  morrow. 

Your  SOU;  Henry. 


Ix  a  letter  to  his  sister,  under  date  of  Knoxville,  March  Sth.  he 
says:  "E\-erything  in  this  Department  seems  to  be  demoralized, 
and  our  division  that  has  showed  such  good  discipline  is  fast  be- 
coming contaminated.  Oh.  for  such  a  man  as  Rosecrans.  He  is 
the  best  manager  and  the  best  calculated  to  keep  his  men  to- 
gether of  any  man  I  have  yet  seen.  There  was  some  satisfaction 
in  being  a  soldier  under  him:  but  I  am  fast  becoming  disgusted 
wi:h  the  situation  of  things  here,  but  hope  for  the  best. 

My  health  is  better  than  it  has  been  since  last  September. 

H. 


Camp  Xixetv-third  Ohio,  ^May  3d,  1864. 

Dear  Father  : 

AVe  move  at  noon  to  day.  I  know  nothing  of  the  proba- 
bihty  of  a  fight,  but  believe  we  move  with  that  intention  if  the 
rebs  stand. 

I  see  by  the  papers  that  the  militia  of  Ohio  are  called  out  for 
100  diys,  which  I  suppose  will  give  brother  George  a  chance  of 
soldiering.     He  should  take  nothing  but  what  he  can  carry  on  a 


~  32 


march,  though  I  suppose  they  will  not  have  much  of  that  to  do. 
One  blanket,  one  extra  pair  socks,  one  extra  shirt,  haversack,  can- 
teen and  rubber  blanket,  with  half  of  a  shelter  tent  is  all  he  should 
take.  The  pants  he  wears  will  last  him.  A  tin  plate,  knife  and 
fork  and  spoon,  tin-cup  and  very  small  tin  bucket,  with  cover,  that 
will  hold  about  a  qunrt,  to  make  coffee  in,  a  little  sack  for  coffee, 
one  for  sugar  and  one  for  salt,  just  large  enough  to  hold  three  days' 
rations,  and  a  small  frying  pan  completes  the  outfit.  He  will  find 
when  he  carries  all  these  with  gun,  cartridge-box,  with  forty  rounds 
ammunition,  he  will  have  a  pretty  good  load.  Nothing  is  better 
than  Government  shoes  for  the  march,  and  they  should  be  one 
size  larger  than  he  wears  at  home.  Thousands  are  doing  just  at 
this  time  as  I  am,  writing  to  dear  ones  at  home,  not  knowing  but 
it  may  be  the  last  letter,  but  still  hopeful. 

We  had  white  frost  last  night  and  it  is  quite  cool  to  day. 
The  general  call  is  sounding,  and  I  must  close. 

With  good  bye,  from  your  affectionate  son,  Henry. 


Cassville,  Ga.,  May  20th,  1864. 

Dear  Father: 

We  have  just  received  notice  that  we  would  remain  in  our 
present  position  for  the  day,  to  rest,  which  we  very  much  need. 

Since  the  rebels  left  Resacca  we  have  not  been  out  of  the  sound 
of  the  musketry  of  our  skirmishers,  and  deserters  and  captured 
rebels  have  given  us  information  that  they  would  fight  us  at  two  or 
three  different  places. 

This  is  the  last  point,  and  we  expected  warm  work  this  morning, 
but  they  have  left  during  the  night,  and  a  place  called  High  Tower, 
on  Etowa  River,  is  now  said  to  be  the  last  ditch. 

I  with  my  company,  was  sent  out  on  the  skirmish  line  yesterday 
about  noon.  The  forest  was  very  dense.  The  undergrowth  was  so 
thick  it  was  almost  impossible  to  see  a  man  until  within  a  few  paces  of 
him,  and  seems  to  me  a  line  of  resolute  and  determined  men  could 
have  killed  or  wounded  every  one  of  us;  but  we  drove  them  nearly 
three  miles  without  any  loss,  and  finally  charged  them  across  an 
open  field  with  a  yell,  and  drove  them  from  behind  a  fence  skirting 
the  woods,  just  as  night  closed  in.    Many  shots  came  uncomfort- 


—  33  — 


ably  close,  but  a  miss  is  as  good  as  a  mile,  and  we  are  all  alive  and 
well  this  morning.  Since  the  7th  of  this  month  we  have  been  in 
a  state  of  constant  excitement.  Not  a  day  has  passed  without  bul- 
lets whistling  about  our  heads.  We  were  often  called  up  at  night  to 
build  breastworks,  or  repel  a  threatened  attack  upon  some  portion 
of  our  lines.  Our  men  look  haggard  and  worn-out.  We  have  full 
rations  of  pork,  hard  bread,  sugar  and  coffee  ;  nothing  else.  We 
have  no  clothing,  tents  nor  baggage — nothing  but  what  we  carry, 
and  as  we  are  obliged  to  carry  three  days'  rations  on  our  person,  it 
makes  a  good  load  for  hot  weather — though  the  nights  are  cold.  I 
still  carry  my  overcoat  but  will  be  compelled  to  throw  it  away  soon 
if  it  gets  warmer.  We  had  reason  to  believe,  after  the  active  wdnter 
campaign  of  our  corps,  and  the  easy  times  of  the  Fourteenth  Corps, 
which  were  marched  only  to  Ringgold  during  the  winter,  that  they 
would  take  the  advance  and  relieve  us  somewhat  of  the  duties  of 
an  active  campaign  in  front,  but  we  were  mistaken.  I  feel  that,  if 
not  imposed  upon,  we  are  at  least  doing  more  than  our  share  of  the 
work. 

The  rebels  are  conducting  their  retreat  very  well,  and  are  losing  but 
little  stores  and  not  many  men.  I  think,  let  them  stand  where  they 
may,  we  are  able  to  whip  them,  unless  they  should  get  large  re- 
inforcements from  Richmond ;  and  it  seems  to  me  they  must  give 
up  one  point  or  the  other,  and  Atlanta  is  almost  the  center  of  their 
Confederacy,  and  only  fifty-six  miles  from  here.  They  take  all 
citizens  with  them  as  they  go,  leaving  only  a  few  women  and  chil- 
dren behind.  They  must  be  getting  pretty  thick  somewhere,  and  if 
we  and  the  eastern  army  are  successful,  it  seems  to  me  the  end 
cannot  be  far  off. 

Should  this  campaign  end  in  a  decided  success,  I  think  seriously 
of  offering  my  resignation,  and  feel  it,  in  consideration  of  failing 
health,  to  be  my  duty  to  do  so.    Your  son, 

Henry. 


3 


—  34  — 


Note. — This  letter,  by  oversight,  was  left  out  of  its  proper  place,  and 
should  have  been  placed  with  the  1863  letters,  as  the  date  indicates. 

Camp  Read, 
Near  Tullahoma,  Tenn.,  July  21st,  1863. 

Dear  Father  : 

I  received  yours  and  mother's  of  July  15th  on  Sunday. 

We  heard  through  the  papers  of  the  John  Morgan  raid  and  some 
of  the  particulars.  I  supposed  he  had  taken  my  horse  from  Colonel 
Williamson's  where  I  had  left  it. 

I  hope  George  was  satisfied.  He  and  Giles  must  have  felt 
cheap.  The  idea  of  taking  a  horse  and  buggy  to  go  on  a  scout 
after  rebels  shows  a  want  of  judgment  which  I  would  not  have 
attributed  to  either  of  them,  but  it  may  prove  a  good  lesson  to 
both. 

The  boys  out  here  don't  feel  much  sorry  that  Morgan  has  paid 
some  of  their  friends  in  Ohio  and  Indiana  this  visit.  It  is  a  little 
foretaste  of  what  they  may  expect  if  they  fold  their  hands  and 
look  on.  I  fear  it  will  take  about  two  such  visits  a  year  to  rouse 
some  of  them  to  a  proper  sense  of  their  duty.  Many  a  wish  has 
been  made  by  the  boys  here  that  such  and  such  a  one  might  get 
their  horses  stolen  and  their  place  raided  as  Morgan's  men  know 
how.  Should  there  be  any  more  such  raids  don't  think  of  leaving 
your  home  for  a  safer  place,  for  there  is  much  more  respect  paid 
to  private  property  when  the  owners  are  about,  particularly  if  there 
be  women  and  children.  If  a  house  is  deserted  the  soldiers  are 
very  apt  to  plunder,  and  even  burn  it,  when  the  presence  of  a 
woman  or  child  most  always  secure  safety,  and  they  rarely  disturb 
peaceable  citizens. 

(Japtain  Joyce  has  applied  for  leave  of  absence  with,  I  think,  good 
prospect  of  success,  and  if  he  goes  home  you  will  see  him,  I  am 
sure. 

There  is  a  rumor  in  camp  that  our  brigade  will  go  to  Decherd 
soon,  which  is  some  twelve  mile  further  in  advance. 

The  recent  victories  have  encouraged  us  very  much. 

The  weather  is  very  warm,  but  we  have  a  pleasant  air  stirring  all 
the  time.  Your  affectionate  son,  Henry. 

p.  S. — I  forgot  to  tell  you  before  that  the  non  commissioned  offi- 
cers and  privates  of  Co.  F  presented  me  a  few  days  since  a  beau- 


—  35  — 


tiful  sword,  belt  and  sash,  which  I  shall  ever  prize  very  highly, 
coming  as  it  does  from  the  men  of  another  company,  from  the  one 
I  helped  organize,  and  after  a  year's  service  with  them.  H. 


Near  Dallas.  Ga.,  June  3d.  1864. 

Dear  Father  : 

As  the  mail  is  said  to  go  out  this  evening,  I  use  the  last  scrap 
of  |:>aper  I  have  to  say  that  I  am  well,  and  things  are  working  as 
well,  perhaps,  as  they  can  be  expected  to.  There  is  more  or  less 
fighting  along  the  lines  every  day  and  night,  but  without  anvthing 
decisive.  The  rebels.  1  think,  are  being  punished  the  most,  and 
we  stick  to  them  very  close,  and  there  are  strong  signs  o^"  disaffec- 
tion, by  frequent  desertions,  though  during  this  campaign  they 
seem  more  determined  to  fight  to  the  last  than  ever  before. 

We  are  pretty  well  supplied  with  rations,  the  men  drawmg  three 
days  for  four.  We  are  all  getting  very  dirty,  having  no  soap  and 
S])ending  most  of  our  time  in  the  trenches.  Hoping  to  hear  from 
vou  soon.  I  am  Vour  affectionate  son. 

Henry. 
June  6th.  1864. 

Dear  Father : 

Mail  failed  to  brin.g  me  anything  last  night.  Merelv  write  to 
say  the  rebs  left  our  front  night  before  last,  and  yesterday  we  had 
an  opportunity  of  examining  the  ground  of  the  recent  fight.  While 
I  am  writing  our  forces  arc  getting  ready  to  march — I  suppose  in 
])arsuit.  Their  position  here  was  a  stronger  one  than  at  Resaca. 
I  suppose  Sherman  flanked  them — he  always  does. 

Your  son.  Henry. 


Camp  Near  Ackworth,  Ga.  .  June  8th,  1864. 

Dear  Father : 

Yours  of  May  30th  came  this  evening,  and  as  we  are  likely 
to  move  to-morrow  morning  I  take  this  opportunity  to  write  a  few 
lines.     We  came  here  day  before  yesterday,  and  were  informed  we 


—  36-- 


would  possibly  remain  here  several  days,  and  our  men  cleaned  up 
the  camp  to-day.  We  are  about  twenty-five  miles  from  Atlanta, 
We  expect  to  be  in  possession  of  that  place  by  the  4th  of  July, 
though  I  think  we  will  have  to  fight  a  hard  battle  before  then. 

We  have  a  very  large  force  now — sufficient,  it  is  believed,  to 
flank  any  position  the  enemy  shall  take,  as  we  have  been  doing 
since  our  advance  from  Ringgold.  We  have,  of  course,  lost  many 
men,  though  I  think  we  receive  reinforcements  sufficient  to  keep 
up  our  original  strength.  The  rebs  are,  undoubtedly,  making  des- 
perate efforts,  and  they  show  wonderful  pluck.  There  is  very  little 
farming  going  on  in  this  country — not  even  enough  will  be  raised 
to  sustain  the  home  population,  if  any  were  at  home,  but  they  are 
not ;  the  whole  country  is  deserted.  Wheat  will  not  amount  to  a 
quarter  of  a  crop,  and  very  little  corn  is  planted. 

Your  affectionate  son,  HExNTry. 


Camp  Near  Mariei  ta,  Ga.,  June  i6th,  1864. 

Dear  Father  : 

We  are  still  in  line  of  battle,  though  our  division  hns  been  in 
reserve  for  the  past  four  days.  We  suffered  so  heavily  on  the  27th, 
that  we  may  be  favored  in  the  next  fight.  I  wrote  to  sister  that  our 
loss  would  reach  a  thousand,  on  the  27th,  but  it  proves  to  be  nearer 
1500,  and  mostly  the  work  of  an  hour.  We  are  driving  the  rebels 
very  slowly.  Picket  firing  was  kept  up  last  night,  all  night,  quite 
heavy,  but  it  has  slackened  a  good  deal  this  morning.  Our  artille- 
ry keeps  shelling  them  constantly,  but  can  get  no  reply.  Tliey  are 
said  to  be  short  of  ammunition,  and  as  we  drive  them  we  find  evi- 
dences of  masked  batteries,  which  looks  a  little  as  if  they  had  been 
setting  traps  for  us,  and  did  not  like  to  expose  their  position.  Our 
Generals  are  moving  very  cautiously  however.  Deserters  say  the 
rebel  General  Polk  was  killed  by  one  of  our  shells  a  day  or  two  ago. 
I  made  out  a  semi-monthly  report  of  Company  F  this  morning,  and 
find  the  aggregate  number  only  fifty-one.  Dead  and  discharged, 
forty-five — in  less  than  two  years.  It  looks  as  it  but  few  of  us  will 
be  left  if  the  war  continues  another  year. 

This  has  been  a  tedious  campaign,  and  don't  seem  near  over. 
This  country  is  almost  an  entire  wilderness,  though  not  quite  so 
hilly  as  it  has  been. 


—  37  — 


We  have  had  rain  for  eight  days  in  succession,  but  it  cleared  up 
day  before  yesterday. 

Men  and  officers  are  neraly  naked  and  getting  lousy.  Have  had  no 
soap  for  more  than  two  weeks,  and  no  opportunity  to  wash  clothes, 
save  in  cold  water,  since  we  left  Cleveland,  May  2d,  and  no  pros- 
pect of  any  until  this  campaign  is  over,  which  will  not  be  until 
we  get  to  Atlanta. 

The  nomination  of  Mr.  Lincoln  was  expected  by  us  all,  and 
very  Utile  comment  is  made.  His  vote  in  the  army  will  depend 
very  much  on  the  success  of  Grant  and  Sherman,  Their  failure 
will  divide  the  vote  if  a  war  Democrat  is  nominated.  McClellan 
has  many  friends  here,  and  will  get  a  large  vote  if  nominated  and 
he  repudiates  Vallandigham  and  his  party. 


Near  Marietta,  Ga.,  June  21st,  1864. 

Dear  Father  : 

We  are  gradually  approaching  Marietta,  although  the  rebels 
still  occupy  it  and  seem  very  determined  in  their  defense. 

The  last  line  of  works  we  drove  them  from,  which  was  day  be- 
fore yesterday,  they  showed  more  signs  of  demoralization  than  ever 
before.  Our  regiment  had  skirmished  with  them  until  they  were 
driven  into  their  works  on  the  17th.  On  the  i8th  we  harrassed 
them  so  with  artillery  and  musketry  that  they  left  in  the  night, 
and  we  picked  up  more  prisoners  in  the  morning  than  at  any 
other  time — some  seventy- five  in  our  brigade  front  alone.  They 
only  fell  back  about  one  and  a  haif  miles,  where  they  are  now, 
but  they  get  no  rest. 

It  rains  all  the  time,  but  nothing  seems  to  check  Sherman.  He 
never  gets  mud-bound.  He  has  been  called  crazy.  If  the  same 
crazy  kind  of  soldiering  had  been  practiced  long  ago  the  result 
would  have  been  peace  before  this. 

There  is  considerable  sickness,  principally  the  result  of  such 
hird  service,  and  not  serious,  only  needing  rest  to  bring  them  up 
again.  I  had  thirty-three  men  for  duty  when  1  left  Ringgold; 
eighteen  this  morning,  though  seven  of  the  number  were  lost  in  the 
fight  of  May  27th. 

The  mail  boy  has  just  handed  me  yours  of  June  12th,  with  sis- 
ter's enclosed.     I  am  glad  to  hear  such  good  account   of  things 


—  38  — 


in  the  *'  Promised  Land,"  and  only  wish  I  was  there  to  see  it,  but 
almost  begin  to  despair. 

The  roar  of  musketry  and  artillery  is  constant  day  and  night,  and 
often  terrific.  It  is  not  uncommon  for  us  to  change  our  position  two 
or  three  times  a  day.  The  fighting  is  generally  late  in  the  even- 
ing, continuing  often  away  into  the  night,  to  secure  positions,  and 
then  breastworks  to  build  before  morning.  The  rebels  and  we 
have  built  breastworks  enough  since  we  commenced  this  campaign 
to  make  a  continuous  line  more  than  loo  miles  long.  For  some 
reason  they  fire  much  less  than  we  do,  especially  artillery. 
Prisoners  say  they  are  short  of  ammunition.  We  have  seen  cart- 
ridges manufactured  in  June,  1864,  which  would  indicate  as  much. 
Should  we  gain  a  decided  victory  over  them  before  we  are  worn 
out  I  think  General  Sherman  is  the  man  to  follow  it  up. 

Could  you  see  us  as  we  are  this  morning  you  would  consider  us 
(officers  and  all)  as  objects  of  charity.  A  dirtier  or  more  ragged 
set  you  never  beheld.  Our  living  consists  of  hard  bread,  bacon 
and  coffee.  I  would  willingly  give  five  dollars  for  a  peck  of  po- 
tatoes, but  they  are  an  impossibility  at  present. 

Rebel  camps  show  evidences  of  scarcity.  No  remnants  are 
scattered  about  as  formerly  ;  nothing  but  an  occasional  piece  of 
corn  bread  and  grains  of  corn,  where  they  have  fed  their  horses, 
which  they  seem  to  have  plenty  of  yet.  They  appear  to  be  out  of 
meat  as  no  bones  or  refuse  pieces  are  found. 

With  love  to  all,  your  son,  Henry. 


Near  Marietta,  Ga.,  June  2 2d,  1864. 

Dear  Father  : 

Yours  of  T2th  received,  and  I  wrote  you  quite  a  long  letter, 
enclosed  it  in  an  envelope,  and  put  it  in  my  memorandum-book 
without  sealing,  ready  for  the  mail.  About  2  p.  m.  we  were  ordered 
suddenly  to  advance,  and  in  the  little  dash  we  made  at  the  Rebs  I 
lost  my  book  and  the  letter.  We  drove  the  enemy  a  short  distance, 
but  they  are  very  stubborn.  They  have  a  line  of  works  on  every 
ridge,  which  are  from  a  quarter  to  a  mile  apart.  We  take  more 
prisoners  each  time  we  advance.  Yesterday  the  skirmish  line  in 
front  of  Willich's  brigade  fired  one  shot  and  threw  away  their  arms 


—  39  — 


and  came  into  our  lines.  They  were  Tennessee  troops  principally, 
the  first  we  have  seen  since  this  campaign  begun.  They  are  not 
considered  reliable  by  the  rebel  commanders,  and  are  rarely  placed 
in  the  front.  It  rains  every  day  regularly,  but  nothing  seems  to 
stop  Sherman.  It  is  a  continual  fusilade  from  morning  to  night, 
and  night  to  morning.  I  think  we  fire  fifty  shots  where  they  fire 
one.  They  are  probably  short  of  ammunition.  Your  affectionate 
son,  Henry. 


Camp  near  Marietta,  Ga.,  June  28th,  1864. 

Dear  Father : 

Nothing  new  since  my  last,  only  General  Newton's  Division 
of  our  corps  made  a  charge,  and  were  repulsed  with  considerable 
loss.  We  were  marched  out,  leaving  everything  behind  save  our 
guns  and  haversacks,  and  expected  a  general  engagement ;  but 
when  Newton  was  repulsed  we  were  ordered  back  to  camp.  I  sent 
you  an  Atlanta  paper,  which  one  of  my  men  got  on  picket  this 
morning.  The  rifle  pits  of  the  pickets  are  only  a  few  yards  apart, 
and  though  it  is  forbidden  the  men  to  have  any  intercourse  with  the 
enemy,  the  weather  is  so  hot  that  both  parties  are  too  indolent  or 
too  weary  to  shoot ;  and  when  the  officers  are  not  watching,  the 
men  on  both  sides  get  talking,  and  will  meet  each  other  half-way, 
and  trade  tobacco,  coffee,  papers,  etc.,  and  have  a  chat,  but  a  shot 
from  either  of  the  lines  near  them  causes  them  to  scamper  back  to 
the  rifle  pits  in  double-quick  time.  No  more  at  present.  Your 
son,  Henry. 


Camp  in  the  Field, 
Near  Marietta,  Ga.,  July  3d,  1864. 
The  rebels  evacuated  their  position  last  night,  and  we  are 
ready  and  waiting  orders  to  follow  them.  I  visited  their  works 
about  daylight  this  morning,  and  witnessed  the  most  sickening  sight 
I  have  seen  during  the  war.  Immediately  in  front  of  the  works 
which  we  moved  to  last  night,  and  previously  occupied  by  the 
Fourteenth  Corps,  there  had  been  two  successive  charges  by  the 


—  40  — 


rebels  and  one  by  our  men  about  a  week  ago.  The  rebels  were 
allowed  to  get  within  ten  feet  of  the  works  before  a  gun  was  fired. 
The  effects  of  the  firing  then  were  terrible.  The  dead  still  lay  on 
the  top  of  the  ground  in  heaps — many  of  them  falling  against  the 
embankment.  Neither  party  dared  to  leave  their  works  to  bury 
them.  Probably  they  thought  that  the  stench  would  drive  our  men 
from  their  position.  It  was  awful,  and  had  they  not  left  last  night 
we  would  have  had  to  endure  it  as  it  was  immediately  in  our  front. 
That  you  may  judge  the  number  of  shots  fired,  the  top  logs  of  their 
works,  generally  about  eight  inches  through,  were  entirely  shot 
away,  so  that  it  was  necessary  to  put  on  new  ones,  and  large  chest- 
nut trees,  that  screened  their  sentinels,  were  wilting  from  the  effects 
of  bullets. 

In  front  of  their  works  they  had  guards  made  by  taking  a  sapling 
and  boring  two  rows  of  two  inch  holes,  with  sharpened  stakes 
through  them  a  few  inches  apart ;  also,  sharpened  stakes  projecting 
from  their  works.  It  was  the  strongest  position,  and  best  fortified^ 
I  have  yet  seen,  and  if  we  did  not  outnumber  them  largely,  which 
enables  us  to  flank  them,  they  could  not  have  been  taken. 

2  p.  M. — We  have  halted  for  dinner  south  of  Marietta.  Heavy 
cannonading  in  front — perhaps  four  or  five  miles.  All  sorts  of  ru- 
mors afloat,  one  of  which  is,  that  our  cavalry  is  in  Atlanta,  and  in- 
fantry across  the  river.    It  is  premature,  I  think. 

Mv  congratulations  to  Mrs.  M.  when  you  see  her. 

While  you  were  enjoying  the  marriage  feast,  on  the  evening  of 
the  23d,  I  was  groping  in  the  darkness,  after  the  fight,  looking  up 
wounded  and  dead  men  of  our  regiment.     Your  son,  Henry. 


Camp  Ninety-third  O.  V.  I., 
On  Chattahoochee  River,  July  nth,  1864. 

Dear  Father : 

We  moved  four  or  five  miles  yesterday  up  the  river,  and  I 
suppose  will  cross  to-day.  The  Twenty-third,  and  part  of  our  corps, 
are  already  across. 

We  hoped  when  the  rebels  crossed  the  river  the  campaign  would 
end  for  the  present ;  but  no  sooner  had  they  evacuated  their 
works  on  this  side  night  before  last,  crossed  and  burned  the  rail- 
road bridge,  than  we  were  on  the  march. 


—  41  — 


We  now  constitute  a  part  of  what  the  rebels  call  Sherman's 
Flanking  Machine. 

The  work  of  the  army  is  very  unequally  divided,  and  I  think 
Thomas  is  very  partial  to  the  Fourteenth  Corps,  giving  them  all 
post  and  garrison  duty  and  less  of  the  fighting  than  any  other 
corps  in  this  Department.  There  is  much  grumbling  among  offi- 
cers and  men  on  this  account,  and  when  this  campaign  does  end 
there  will  be  more  resignations  offered  than  ever  before  from  this 
corps.  When  General  Baird's  Division  relieved  us  yesterday  the 
feeling  was  manifested  by  the  men  calling  them  Thomas'  pets,  and 
saying  there's  no  danger  here  boys ;  hold  this  position  till  we  drive 
them  away  again,  and  build  works,  and  then  you  can  move  up 
again.    The  boys  will  have  their  joke  !    Your  son,  Henry. 


Camp,  Chattahoochee  River,  July  14th,  1864. 

Dear  Sister  : 

Yours  of  6th,  dated  at  EUand,  came  safely  to  hand. 
We  expected  to  make  a  reconnoisance  in  force  to-day,  but  the 
order  has  been  countermanded,  and  I  devote  a  part  of  the  day  to 
you. 

We  are  now  on  the  south  side  of  the  river,  and  can  see  Atlanta 
from  our  camp,  distant  ten  or  twelve  miles.  Looking  over  the 
country  it  seems  to  be  covered  with  heavy  timber. 

There  has  been  unusual  quiet  along  the  whole  line  for  several 
days,  and  but  little  resistance  offered  to  our  crossing  the  river.  It 
seems  strange  after  such  a  stubborn  resistance  at  all  other  points. 

I  received  a  letter  from  brother  George  a  few  days  ago,  and  am 
not  surprised  to  learn  that  he  would  be  glad  to  be  home  again,  and 
I  think  a  hundred  days  will  effectually  cure  him  of  soldiering,  and 
do  hope  he  may  pass  safely  through.  The  greatest  danger  is  in 
the  first  battles,  as  he  will  not  know  how  to  take  advantage  of  po- 
sitions and  screen  himself,  but  it  is  more  than  probable  that  he  will 
not  get  into  a  fight. 

Political  affairs  north  don't  look  encouraging  and  financial  mat- 
ters no  better.  You  may  think  I  am  becoming  less  patriotic  ;  per- 
haps I  am.  Two  years  of  such  service  and  such  results  certainly 
has  a  tendency  that  way.     When  I  became  satisfied  that  the  ad- 


—  42  — 


ministration  had  adopted  the  policy  of  universal  emancipation, 
without  quahfication,  in  the  seceded  States,  I  felt  that  it  had  un- 
dertaken a  contract  which  could  not  be  carried  out,  and  should 
Mr.  Lincoln  be  defeated,  it  will  undoubtedly  be  canceled.  A  man 
of  the  Vallandigham  stamp  can't  be  elected ;  but  some  other 
shrewder  and  less  objectionable  Democrat,  that  will  prove  equally 
as  dangerous,  may  be.  But  you  must  excuse  all  this.  Our  vision, 
out  here  in  Dixie,  may  not  be  a  very  broad  and  clear  one ;  but  still 
we  must  look,  though  we  do  not  see  much  perhaps. 

I  guess  father  thinks  because  I  was  scarce  of  paper  once  that 
I  am  all  the  time,  for  he  sends  me  a  sheet  in  every  letter  he 
writes.     As  ever,  your  affectionate  brother,  Henry. 


Powers'  Ferry, 
Chattahoochee  Rtver,  July  i8th,  1864. 

Dear  Father  : 

We  have  been  resting  a  few  days,  but  are  ready  this  morn- 
ing for  a  forward  movement. 

Yesterday  our  division  went  down  the  river  about  four  miles  and 
assisted  the  Fourteenth  Corps  in  crossing.  There  was  but  little 
opposition  offered. 

The  rebels  are  said  to  be  about  four  miles  in  our  front  intrenched, 
which  I  suppose  we  will  know  more  about  before  night. 

The  final  struggle  for  Atlanta  cannot  be  very  far  distant.  I  have 
no  doubt  of  ultimate  success,  but  don't  know  at  what  sacrifice. 

I  received  a  letter  from  brother  George.  I  judge  one  hundred 
days  will  cure  him  of  soldiering.  It  is  just  long  enough  for  him 
to  become  heartily  disgusted.  A  longer  term  he  would  become 
more  reconciled  and  like  it  better.  Henry  Richards. 


Before  Atlanta,  August  13th,  1864. 

Dear  Father : 

I  believe  the  last  date  I  received  of  yours  is  July  23d.  You 
speak  of  taking  a  $1,000  Court  House  bond.  I  wish  I  could  send 
my  money  home,  but  we  have  not  been  paid  for  nearly  eight  months, 
and  when  we  are  paid  I  presume  we  will  only  get  paid  for  four. 


—  43  — 


We  have  no  use  for  money  here,  as  there  is  nothing  to  buy  save  to- 
bacco, and  as  I  only  smoke,  a  very  Uttle  does  me.  We  have  had  easy 
times  since  we  have  been  here,  and  not  much  exposed  to  danger. 
Occasionally  a  sixty-four  pound,  shot  is  dropped  in  our  lines,  but  it 
rarely  does  any  harm,  and  only  causes  the  men  to  shout  a  defiance. 
There  is  scarcely  a  moment  that  the  heavy  boom  of  cannon  is  not 
heard  somewhere  on  the  line,  and  the  picket  firing  is  incessant. 
Our  regiment  is  on  picket  every  six  days,  and  fires  about  8,000 
rounds  in  the  twenty-four  hours,  at  a  cost  of  about  $136  to  the 
gover  ment.  The  length  of  line  we  occupy  is  about  300  yards. 
The  whole  line  is  not  less  than  ten  or  twelve  miles  long.  The 
heaviest  fighting  is  on  the  extreme  right.  vVe  are  making  an  occa- 
sional demonstration  to  attract  their  attention.  We  have  news  of 
the  capture  of  Mobile,  which  is  good  if  true.    *    *  * 

Should  any  accident  befall  me,  I  suppose  some  one  will  be  kind 
enough  to  acquaint  you  with  it,  though  everything  here  is  just  like 
business  at  home.  No  one  makes  any  particular  preparation  for 
disaster  here  any  more  than  there.  Perhaps  I  may  be  singular,  for 
I  have  felt  confident  in  every  engagement  that  I  would  get  through 
all  right,  and  I  don't  like  to  admit  of  a  doubt  now  by  making  any 
requests.  Maybe  I  am  a  little  superstitious ;  if  such  ts  the  case,  I 
can't  help  it.  I  am  acting  on  a  court-martial  now,  and  if  we  were 
at  Atlanta  I  presume  [  should  be  very  pleasantly  situated,  as  it 
may  last  for  several  weeks.     Your  son,  Henry. 


Before  Atlanta,  Ga.,  August  25th,  1864. 

Dear  Father : 

We  are  preparing  to  move,  but  have  no  positive  orders. 
The  court-martial  1  was  on'were  ordered  to  adjourn,  and  the  artil- 
lery is  being  drawn  otT  from  the  front.  I  know  nothing  of  the  ex- 
tent or  direction  of  the  move,  but  as  fifteen  days'  rations  and  forage 
are  ordered,  I  presume  we  are  to  cut  loose  from  our  base,  but  Sher- 
man knows  his  business,  and  I  have  faith  in  his  plans,  and  I  heartily 
endorse  his  sentiments  in  the  enclosed  letter.  How  any  man  can 
satisfy  his  conscience  and  sense  of  duty  by  securing  as  his  substitute 
an  ignorant  black  man,  taken  from  the  southern  plantations,  when 
the  very  life  of  his  country  and  friends  is  at  stake,  is  mor-e  than  I 
can  understand. 


—  44  — 


We  are  now,  I  think,  approaching  the  most  critical  period  of  the 
war.  Our  armies  are  being  reduced  by  expiration  of  terms  of 
service;  a  Presidential  election,  with  rather  more  than  its  usual  ex- 
citement; a  draft  to  be  enforced,  together  with  wide-spread  dissat- 
isfaction, encouraged  by  a  large  party  at  the  North,  and  who,  in 
many  places,  are  boldly  advising  open  resistance  to  the  enforcement 
of  the  laws — cause  us  fellows  out  in  the  front  to  think  very  seriously 
of  affairs.  We  have  had  some  experience  in  soldiering  now,  and 
know  we  can  hold  our  own,  and  our  eyes  are  turned  to  the 
North.  There  is  really  where  this  battle  is  being  fought.  A  loyal 
spirit  manifested  there  by  the  people  to  the  government  and  this 
army,  will  give  us  renewed  energy;  and,  with  John  Brown's  spirit, 
the  army  will  be  ever  found  marching  on. 

We  have  just  received  orders  to  withdraw  at  midnight,  and  I 
must  close.  I  would  like  your  opinion  at  length  on  the  present 
state  of  affairs  at  home.  I  must  confess  I  feel  uneasy,  but  really 
hope  my  fears  are  unfounded,  and  that  our  people  at  home,  taking 
the  army  as  their  guide,  will  rally  around  the  flag,  and  give  the  sol- 
diers their  undivided  support.  There  is  only  one  way  out  of  this 
thing,  and  that  is  by  the  overthrow  of  the  Rebellion.  The  people 
of  the  North  must  see  this,  and  act  accordingly,  or  they  and  the 
whole  country  are  gone.     As  ever,  your  son,  Henry. 


Atlanta,  Ga. ,  September  25th,  1864. 

Dear  P^ather  : 

Yours  from  Iowa  was  received  yesterday.     I  have  not  writ- 
ten home  since  we  arrived  at  Atlanta. 

We  are  pleasandy  situated  about  three  miles  out  on  the  road  to 
Augusta,  with  no  rebs  in  our  front,  at  least  none  to  hurt. 

There  is  nothing  new  here,  and  no  movement  is  likely  for  some 
time  yet,  I  presume. 

We  have  just  received  the  news  of  Sheridan's  victories,  which 
is  glorious  news;  also  an  order  to  mike  out  payrolls  for  eight 
months,  which  is  also  good  news,  as  we  are  flat  broke. 

I  was  notified  a  few  days  ago  that  1  would  be  sent,  with  other 
officers,  to  clean  out  and  bring  up  men  who  are  in  hospitals  and  are 
fit  for  duty.    There  are  many  kept  there  by  officers,  because  they 


—  45  — 


want  a  command,  and  if  the  wards  are  not  kept  full  tiie  camp  and 
hospital  is  broken  up,  and  they  will  be  obliged  to  go  to  the  front,  and 
many  of  them  prefer  that  their  duty  should  "  take  any  shape  but 
that,"  hence  they  will  not  send  one  man  away  until  another  comes 
to  take  his  place.  If  I  am  sent  my  duties  may  take  me  as  far  north 
as  Cleveland,  O..  and  I  may  be  able  to  give  you  a  flying  visit. 

I  have  an  application  ready  to  forward  asking  for  a  change  of 
duty  during  the  fall  and  winter  months,  as  I  feel  that  I  shall  not 
be  able  to  stand  a  winter  campaign.  If  not  successful  in  that  I 
shall  be  compelled,  I  fear,  to  offer  my  resignation,  as  my  health  is 
failing  fast.  Your  son,  Henry. 


Big  Shanty,  October  loth,  1864. 

Dear  Sister  : 

It  seems  an  age  since  I  have  heard  from  home.  Commu- 
nication has  been  so  interrupted  of  late  that  we  begin  to  despair 
of  getting  another  mail,  but  we  have  just  been  notified  that  a  mail 
would  go  out  at  3  o'clock — it  is  now  2  p.  m. — and  tliat  we  may 
expect  a  mail  to-morrow. 

It  will  be  several  days  before  the  railroad  is  fully  repaired,  it 
having  been  pretty  effectually  destroyed  for  many  miles.  We  left 
Atlanta  on  the  2d  to  head  off  the  rebs  and  prevent  the  de- 
struction of  the  road,  but  were  one  day  too  late.  We  are  now 
about  twenty-four  miles  north  of  Atlanta,  and  will  remain  about 
here  until  the  road  is  finished. 

My  health  is  still  very  poor.  I  called  on  General  Wood  about 
ten  days  ago  and  showed  my  certificates  from  our  surgeon  and 
asked  his  approval  to  my  application  for  a  change  of  duty  during 
fall  and  winter. .  He  was  very  polite,  but  advised  me  not  to 
think  of  doing  so,  and  said  if  he  was  in  my  condition  he  would 
tender  his  resignation  at  once  ;  and  I  believe  I  will.  I  am  not 
sanguine  of  its  being  accepted,  however,  as  I  know  of  one  being 
returned  from  an  officer  who  had  equally  as  strong  a  certificate 
as  I  can  get. 

Hoping  to-morrow's  mail  may  contain  letters  from  home  for  me, 
I  am,  ,as  ever,  your  affectionate  brother,  Henry. 


Officers'  Hospital, 
LooKoui  Mountain,  October  20th,  1864. 

Dear  Sister  : 

I  merely  write  to  let  you  know  where  I  am,  as  I  wrote  a  few- 
days  ago  from  the  regiment  saying  I  was  not  well.  I  dirl  not 
think  I  would  be  in  the  hospital  so  soon,  nor  would  1,  but  all  con- 
valescents and  sick,  not  fit  for  duty,  both  biped  and  quadruped, 
were  ordered  to  Chattanooga,  and  you  may  well  believe  we  made 
the  sorriest  looking  caravan  that  was  ever  seen  from  this  army. 
We  were  sent  without  any  guards,  for  Sherman  well  knew  Hood 
nor  any  of  his  commands  would  not  care  to  take  us.  I  am  very 
tired  and  literally  worn  out,  otherwise  I  don't  feel  as  poorly  as  I 
did  when  I  wrote  you  last. 

The  army  has  turned  southward,  after  following  Hood  within 
ten  miles  of  Tunnel  Hill,  and  Lord  knows  when  Sherman  will 
stop  his  pursuit.  It  is  the  intention  to  subsist  the  army  upon  the 
country.  Sherman  has  the  entire  confidence  o(  the  men,  and  is 
certainly  a  man  of  rare  ability,  and  makes  but  few  pretensions. 
Has  no  staff,  or  at  least  I  have  never  seen  more  than  one  officer 
with  him  at  a  time,  and  looks  rnilitary  about  as  much  as  father 
would,  and  rides  a  horse  as  carelessly.  I  should  be  glad  if  we  had 
more  generals  as  crazy  as  he. 

I  forgot  to  say  I  left  the  army  the  i8th  and  arrived  here  to  day. 

Hoping  to  hear  from  you  soon,  your  affectionate  brother, 

Henry. 


Officers'  Hospital, 
Lookout  Mountain,  November  ist,  1864. 

Dear  Sister  : 

Yours  of  the  25th  received  day  before  yesterday.  I  in- 
tended writing  father  yesterday,  but  was  so  occupied  in  watching 
our  corps  as  it  came  into  the  valley  below  us  that  I  did  not  get  time. 
I  have  not  learned  where  they  are  going,  but  rumor  says  to  guard 
the  railroad  between  Stephenson  and  Athens.  If  so,  I  think  I  will 
try  and  go  with  them,  although  I  am  not  fit  for  active  field  service. 
Still  I  would  rather  do  garrison  duty  than  stay  here.  This  is  a 
most  beautiful  place,  commanding  the  grandest  views,   and  an 


—  47  — 


excellent  place  for  very  sick  men,  but  convalescents  would  enjoy  a 
little  more  life,  such  as  is  plainly  visible  below  :  but  I  must  not 
complain.  It  is,  I  know,  the  best  the  Government  can  do  for  us. 
I  go  before  the  medical  board  this  afternoon  for  examination  ;  was 
before  them  last  Monday,  but  a  decision  has  been  deferred  until  to- 
day. They  seem  to  think  it  strange  I  have  never  been  in  the  hos- 
pital before,  and,  I  suppose,  had  I  shirked  duty  more,  and  had  a 
better  hospital  record,  it  would  be  an  advantage  to  me  in  their  eyes. 
It  appears  very  difficult  for  truth  and  honesty  to  get  a  hearing,  and 
when  I  come  to  think  of  it,  it  is  not  very  remarkable.  The  doctor 
attending  me  is  a  very  good  physician,  ana  a  gentleman  in  every 
way.  I  take  only  simple  remedies.  He  suggested  Croton  oil,  but  I 
objected,  and  he  did  not  insist,  and  this  morning  asked  if  I  would 
take  cod  liver  oil.  I  told  him  I  would  try  it.  But  I  could  only 
hand  it  to  the  nurse,  and  tell  him  to  say  to  the  doctor  that  it  or  I 
must  leave  the  room,  as  the  smell  was  more  than  I  could  stand.  A 
lieutenant  occupies  the  room  with  me,  who  has  been  suffering  for 
more  than  a  year,  and  unfit  for  duty  most  of  the  time.  He  has 
offered  his  resignation  time  and  again,  but,  until  recendy,  without 
avail  :  but  since  I  cam_e  here  it  has  been  accepted,  but  alas  !  too 
late  :  poor  fellow,  he  can  live  but  a  few  days.  But  it  is  nearly  time 
for  me  to  appear  before  the  wise  men,  and  I  must  close.  Don't 
think  of  coming  here  to  me,  as  it  could  be  of  no  use,  and  exceed- 
ing difficult  for  you.      As  ever,  your  affectionate  brother, 

Henry. 


Captain  Richards  finally  succeeded  in  obtaining  his  discharge 
December  2  7th,  1864,  and  returned  home,  a  broken-down  and  worn- 
out  man.  He  had  always  been  subject  to  bronchial  troubles,  and 
the  exposure  of  the  last  two  years  wore  out  a  constitution,  seem- 
ingly strong,  but  in  which  consumption  was  an  hereditary  malady. 

He  returned  to  the  old  homestead,  at  Elland,  and  after  various 
stages  of  hopefulness  and  doubt,  sank  at  last  to  rest,  on  the  18th 
of  August,  1865,  and  was  buried  in  the  family  cemetery,  at  Elland. 


—  48  — 


To  his  acquaintances  and  friends,  for  whom  more  particularly 
this  compilation  is  made,  nothing  need  be  said  by  way  of  eulogy 
of  Henry  Richards. 

"  Little  did  he  crave 
'*  Men's  praises.    Modestly,  with  kindly  mirth, 
"  Not  sad  nor  bitter,  he  accepted  fate, — 
"Drank  deep  of  life,  knew  books  and  hearts  of  men, 
"  Cities  and  camps  and  war's  immortal  woe; 
"  Yet  bore  through  all  (such  virtue  in  him  sate 
"  His  spirit  is  not  whiter  now  than  then  !) 
"  A  simple,  loyal  nature,  pure  as  snow." 


